Daughton is the daughter of Dave and Wendy Daughton.“Jess is also a great role model and mentor to our younger players, especially to our pitchers and catchers,” Deakins said. “She guides them patiently and positively, and uses discreet moments to pull them aside to offer advice and reassurance that make them better players.Coach Steve Costea […]
Daughton is the daughter of Dave and Wendy Daughton.“Jess is also a great role model and mentor to our younger players, especially to our pitchers and catchers,” Deakins said. “She guides them patiently and positively, and uses discreet moments to pull them aside to offer advice and reassurance that make them better players.Coach Steve Costea leads the softball program at Penn Highlands. Derek Horner is the volleyball coach.
Playing at the college level was always Daughton’s goal.“Jess’s instinct to support and to uplift her teammates contributes to the overall family atmosphere of our team and to the successes that we have enjoyed during her years with our program. Jess is more than a strong catcher and hitter – she is a quality person and teammate, which her future coaches at Penn Highlands will recognize immediately.”“Playing at a strong program like Meyersdale helped me advance because my teammates push me to be better,” Daughton said. “(Frostburg State freshman softball player) Izabella Donaldson was always my greatest influence on that team and she pushed me every day at practice to get better.Daughton has a .992 career fielding percentage, with only two errors in three seasons. She has a .418 career average with 74 hits, 22 doubles, eight home runs and 69 RBIs. She has drawn 26 walks to 16 strikeouts. A member of Western Maryland Fusion’s 18-Under team, Daughton has a .485 on-base and a .678 slugging percentage over three seasons. The three-time all-Somerset County selection said that competing at Meyersdale has made her ready to play in college.
The standout recently committed to the Division III programs in the National Junior College Athletic Association.”What stood out about Penn Highlands was the family atmosphere,” Daughton said. “When I went on my athletic tour, many of the girls from the team came together and met up with me and talked to me.””I always dreamt of playing at the collegiate level, but I never thought I would get there, but I kept working hard and I got my dream,” she said.Daughton, also a member of the basketball team, is a three-year starting catcher in softball. She will major in nursing. Daughton helped the Red Raiders win three District 5 Class 1A softball titles.In 2024, she hit .404 with six doubles, one home run and 14 RBIs. She batted .475, slugged .819, belted four homers and drove in 32 runs in 2022. “The coaches also helped me advance due to their commitment and determination to make every player the best they can be. (Softball coach) Tim (Miller) and Mrs. (Jessica) Deakins are very good coaches and they know what they are capable of making anyone a great softball player.”MEYERSDALE, Pa. – Meyersdale Area High School senior Jessica Daughton will play softball and volleyball at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College starting next fall. “Jess worked hard to develop her skills and Penn Highlands is getting a top-notch catcher,” Miller said. “She is our field general who leads our defense and works exceptionally well with our pitchers. She does not give up many stolen bases as she has a cannon for an arm. Offensively, she always has a very good batting average. Jess is a great teammate and a pleasure to coach.”
