It’s been said that looks can be deceiving, so don’t be fooled by the fact that John A. Logan College’s newest softball recruit lacks talent because she lacks size. That would be an incorrect assumption.

Jacqueline Youngman is a small package that packs a wallop. The Mulberry Grove High School senior outfielder, who resided in Du Quoin when she was younger, has been a hitting machine at the small Illinois school located just west of Vandalia. As a junior, she rapped out 30 hits, including a pair of home runs, and finished with a .500 batting average. She hit .469 as a sophomore and .457 as a freshman.

“Jax has had a solid high school career and brings athleticism to our team,” said Logan assistant coach Angie Jilek. “We are losing two starters in the outfield next fall and she has a shot at earning a spot.”

Jilek said she likes the fact that Youngman is quick, can get to the ball in a hurry defensively and makes good contact at the plate.

“If Jax can get on base for us, we are looking for our big hitters to drive her in. We have to up our runs per game next year and it starts at the top of the batting order with kids getting on base. Jax has been doing that for four years at Mulberry Grove and we think she can do that for us, too.”

Youngman said she looks forward to the opportunity to prove her worth at the college level.

“I may be little, but I can hang with the big girls. You don’t know how many times I’ve heard other teams say, ‘Move in. She’s not going to hit it very far.’ And then I hit it over their head. I like to compete.”

Youngman said her mother, Michelle, is a graduate of John A. Logan College. Logan has always been a consideration.

“Kaskaskia was interested in me playing for them, but I just really like Logan’s softball program and enjoyed my visit there on campus.”

A strong student, Youngman said she has plans to study zoology at SIUC after transferring from Logan two years down the road.

High school coach John Barnes said he is proud of Youngman. He also attended JALC and even played one year of baseball under Jerry Halstead.

“Jacqueline is very talented with much natural ability and some speed,” he said. “She is no stranger to the fundamentals of the game and possesses good softball common sense. I think she will do just fine at Logan. There’s a lot of power in that little frame.”

The Mulberry Grove team has enjoyed immense success in recent years. Last year’s Aces squad won 28 games. Over the last three years, the team has won 72 games and captured two regional championships.