Athlete Spotlight: Payton Jeffers

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

Salem, Mass.- Salem State Athletics is highlighting three-year softball caption and senior catcher, Payton Jeffers (Holly Ridge, N.C.). Jeffers delivered a walk-off bunt for a 3-2 eight-inning victory over MCLA this past Saturday, May 4, on Senior Day at Alumni Field.  

Jeffers spoke about how her team started to get into a groove in the final innings. "After a game where both pitchers were impressive in limiting hits, their pitcher finally let up a little in the sixth and our discipline at the plate allowed us to capitalize and finally score. Although we struggled to string hits together, we were still able to attack at key moments to score the runs we needed."

The senior talked about what led up to her walk off bunt over the Trailblazers. "I must give kudos to Mackenzie DeSantis for starting that inning with a single to get us on base early… all of my teammates up to this point had executed their jobs 100% so when Coach Ryan gave me the squeeze bunt signal I focused on executing and getting it down the first baseline successfully, trying to give Besser the best chance possible to score. I am extremely proud of us as a team in that moment more than any other this season because we didn't waver, choke, or let ourselves down. It was the epitome of our competitive will to win and overall team effort."

The Holly Ridge native expressed the importance of winning the first game and how it set the tone for the second game. "We came back in game two with a little more confidence. But the most important thing it accomplished was allowing us breathing room to start having fun.  Instead of focusing on any anxiety in not winning, we played more relaxed, which helped us at the plate. We wanted to be greedy and secure the second win for sure." 

After speaking on their MCLA sweep, Jeffers talked more about her senior day and time wearing the orange and blue.

Jeffers reflected on Senior Day this past weekend as she played her last regular season game as a Viking. "It was a mixture of envisioning past seasons and memories to being in the moment… Regardless of the results, I wanted to show them that leading by example through hard times is a valuable characteristic I choose to practice. Slumps are inevitable and one that every athlete will go through whether it's your freshman year or your senior year. It is what you make of it and how you handle yourself through it that is important for your personal growth. Thankfully I had a really great day that showed any doubters that I believe in myself, my ability and most important, my character." She also added on her journey the past four years at Salem State. "The past four years have been invaluable to me from the perspective of life lessons.  The perseverance that I developed started in my freshman year with COVID-19. Our team was split in two because of distancing protocols making it difficult to bond with some of my team. Wearing face masks as we ran, fielded, and batted, with no spectators, no large gatherings, no in-person classes, no socializing, and limited playing time really diminished the glory you could say but we made the best of the situation, and it helped me realize how I wanted to shape my softball and academic career. I was able to conquer muscle strains, cuts, concussions, a full posterior hip dislocation, muscle pulls, and all the plethora of ailments that ball players face. It pushed me beyond anything I had learned up to that point in determination, depression, pain, fear, frustration, happiness…. I had experienced the gambit in emotions but was able to endure and defeat it all just to play again. I will miss most the solidarity of those around me that truly loved the game of softball and strived to be the best teammate they could be." 

She also elaborated on how much she learned as a player during the past four years. "I have grown intellectually and mentally as an athlete and person. Softball has taught me new skills both on and off the field. I was challenged beyond my comfort zone as an introvert to become a three-year captain as I was named it in my sophomore year, but it taught me to control my emotions, worry about what I could and could not change and practice resilience when difficulties arose.  All of this being easier said than done though, as I still work on these daily. One thing for sure is I am prepared to deal with difficult situations once I graduate."

Jeffers dove deeply into her first memory as a Viking. "Our Spring Training Trip to Myrtle Beach, SC was an exciting time for me. We played on the same fields that I grew up playing travel ball on at the start of my career in seventh grade! Having my old teammates and my former coaches come to see me play in college was special. My extended family was able to come also, which allowed those who could never get to Salem to see me play on the field. All of that and being able to breathe salt air again from the Carolinas, drinking Cheerwine, eating Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, ordering sweet Tea, and eating Bojangles was awesome… A temporary homecoming!"

The senior talked about her in-season and off-season routine. "For the past three years, my in-season routine consisted of working with an outside hitting coach to work on my batting skills. During the summers I also played travel ball with one of my former teammates, Abigail Johnson, which allowed me to stay loose and have fun with softball with no stress. However, this past season I was unable to do either because I chose to Study Abroad in Australia going into my senior year. While the trip was invaluable for my academic efforts, it didn't allow for the time needed in my regular softball routines, but it has helped me academically as I will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.94."

Jeffers talked about how she wants to be remembered after she graduates from the program. "First and foremost, I want to be remembered for my academic achievement. A softball player who played her heart out for Salem State Softball. From being the starting catcher all four years, playing 48 out of 52 conference games, MVP freshman year, voted team captain sophomore year, and returning captain three years in a row while maintaining the highest of academic honors. Additionally, a teammate that my team could count on and seek advice from, a leader who could remain calm and unwavering in their support and understanding, a captain that coaches and administration could rely on with important matters for the program, a civic-minded worker who modeled volunteerism for my team and community and a warm-hearted person."

The Holly Ridge native then discussed who has influenced her the most. "I have two influential people in my life and that is my parents. Their supportive and loving nature is something I deeply appreciate as well as their ability to help me through the tough times I've faced while in school and softball. My mom is the one that pushed me beyond my own boundaries in academics and athletics. She demanded that I give my best at whatever I do regardless of the outcome and provided the guidance I needed to believe in myself even through the times I struggled. She managed the logistic manager and introduced to me the opportunities that I was afforded. My Dad was my inspiration and strategist behind everything. He was the one I could count on to stay calm and look at the bigger picture, which helped me keep a perspective on what is truly important. His sacrifice for our family and country helped shape who I am today. They provided love, support, truthfulness, and a good kick in the pants when I needed it! Two very different personalities that I have drawn from in my own development as a person. I probably wouldn't be playing college softball or a college sport in general if it wasn't for their belief in me."

Jeffers, who is currently majoring in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Sustainability, spoke about some interesting facts about her. "I moved to Okinawa, Japan when I was one year old. My Dad is a former USMC Marine with 22 years of service and our family was stationed on Camp Kinser for four years. My preschool was taught in English for the first half of the day and the second half was taught in Japanese. Growing up, sharing education in a different culture was pivotal in my interest in travel and curiosity about other countries." She also added about her dream vacation. "My dream vacation is one where I have my family surrounding me. This can be at the beach, in the mountains, traveling, or just sitting on the couch at home. The memories and fun we create together are priceless to me. Growing up as a military brat away from family for so many years really enlightens me as I am older. Spending time with them is never guaranteed so I make the most of it when I can."

The senior started playing when she was 14 years old, and she talked about her timeline throughout the years. "I started out playing on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC in 3rd grade. My mom was the head coach, and it was the first time we had an all-girls softball league. My dad deployed to Afghanistan that year and had to miss my first-ever softball coach pitch season. My mom coached me in soccer, basketball, and softball all the way to High School. My dad was able to help and coach when he was not deployed and continued to coach me in my travel ball career. We are a true sports family that enjoyed our time together on the fields and in the gym."

Jeffers looks to end her career on a high note as she and the Vikings will play #5 seed Bridgewater State tomorrow, May 9, at Alumni Field in a MASCAC Quarterfinals. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m.