UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State's most aggressive hitter is also one of the program's quieter players.
Senior outfielder Jordan Bowersox is having a terrific senior year thus far. He is currently on a 10-game hitting streak and has the highest batting average on the team at .327.
As a kid, the Winter Springs, Florida native wanted to play college football at Penn State, but as he went through high school, he decided to focus solely on baseball. He didn't think he would play baseball at Penn State, but, on a visit to University Park his senior year for a baseball camp, he was impressed with head coach Rob Cooper's hospitality and decided he wanted to play college baseball at the school he had dreamed of attending.
Cooper finds similarities between Bowersox's breakout sophomore season and his current stellar senior season, noting the tough year he had as a junior. For Bowersox, the difference between last year and this year is his ability to relax and play baseball.
"Going into this season, it was just not worrying about what other people think. Just playing the game (the way) I have been ever since I was four. Just trusting my ability and my practice that I've put into this," Bowersox said.
That mentality has undoubtedly paid off, as Bowersox continues to be a consistent hitter for the Nittany Lions.
Bowersox's ability to remain calm no matter the situation has been beneficial to his success.
"He's a very good example of never letting things bother you. Never worrying. Never stressing. That's very important to have as a baseball player," sophomore Parker Hendershot said.
"He never lets anything bother him. Whether he's doing very well or very poorly. You couldn't tell the difference between last year and this year if you just looked at him and looked at his mannerisms because he never lets it affect him."
On the defensive side, Bowersox is equally as talented.
"It definitely boosts my confidence to know I can put somebody out there, count on him," Cooper said. "With his speed, he's got the ability to track just about any ball down."
Pitchers, like sophomore Mason Mellott, appreciate having such a talented outfielder.
"It definitely gives me more confidence to throw at batters and let them make contact because I know I have him," Mellott said.
As the oldest and most experienced player in the outfield, Bowersox has found his role as a mentor both on the field and off the field.
"All the guys really have a lot of respect for Jordan. He works hard, he's a great teammate. He's willing to help guys, whether they're playing every day or they're not, he treats everyone the same way," Cooper said.
One of the players Bowersox has helped mentor is Hendershot. In fact, they even hit the same.
"Ever since I've been here when he does well, I seem to do well too. When he struggles, I struggle," Hendershot said. "I like hitting around him (in the batting order) because he gets pitched to the same way I do. I learn a lot from the way he handles the at-bats and how he gets pitched."
But that mentoring role doesn't just apply to baseball. Bowersox takes on his role in places other than the field, to make sure everyone feels at home here at Penn State. That includes reaching out to guys he has class with, or talking to teammates about things other than baseball.
And as good of a player as he is, he's also just as great of a person, according to his teammates and coach.
"He's one of the greatest kids I've ever gotten to coach," Cooper said. "He's a really good kid. He can get along with anybody."
And although Bowersox may be quiet and calm, Hendershot says he is quite funny and sarcastic off the field.
"Off the field he's a very, very sarcastic person. He's never ever serious. He's a great person to be around, just very funny, and a good person to have as a friend and a teammate," Hendershot said.
As Bowersox reflects on his final year at Penn State, he will miss the simple things like hanging out with his teammates once he graduates.
"I'm with these guys every single day. The relationships and bonds I've created with these guys is something I'll never forget."
