Fairfield’s Norris signs with Simpson College

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield senior Jenna Norris will be heading to Indianola next fall. Norris signed her letter of intent to attend and play softball at Simpson College on Thursday at Fairfield High School.

Norris is the fourth Trojan in the last five years to sign with the Storm. Simpson just graduated former Trojans Brynna Bowman and Sara Trent from the team, and Blair Bowman is currently in her junior year.

“I’ve known (Coach Brent) Matthias for a couple years, with being [around] the Bowman family,” Norris said. “He has seen me play, and I’ve been around him.”

Norris says although Coach Matthias is who motivated her to visit, the entire Simpson atmosphere made her sure it was the right choice.

“Their administration and their people and everything were just so nice, and so friendly,” Norris said. “I had that ‘it’ feeling, and just knew it was the place for me.”

Norris hit .354 for the Trojans last season. She hit 11 doubles and three home runs, and also knocked in 36 RBIs, second most on the squad.

“She had done a good job hitting even when she was younger,” said Fairfield coach Bob Bradfield. “But she did a real good job last year.”

Bradfield says he sees a lot of similarities between Norris and Trent, who he saw sign with Simpson four years earlier. They both played catcher and third base at Fairfield and both hit for power.

“It’s sort of funny that four years later, we’re sending someone to the same college that has the same characteristics,” Bradfield said.

Norris will be joining a Simpson squad that went 16-18 overall last year and 13-11 in the American Rivers Conference.

While at Simpson, Norris plans on studying Elementary Education. She says she plans on getting her coaching endorsement too, with plans to be a Kindergarten teacher and a coach when she graduates.

Before all that, however, Norris and the Trojans have some unfinished business. Fairfield brings back every position player from last year’s team, which made it all the way to the regional finals.

“I’m really excited for this season,” Norris said. “I can’t wait to see what we’re going to do.”