TALLAHASSEE, Fla – A typical day during the spring semester for Jacksonville State second baseman Ashley Phillips began before sunrise and ended long after sunset. It included early clinical and weightlifting sessions before attending a full day of classes and studying late into the evening.
 
Most days her schedule included practicing with her team. Most days.
 
"My schedule this season was definitely challenging because I'm a nursing student," said Phillips, who has already graduated from Jacksonville State with her Bachelor's in Exercise Science and is now pursuing a Bachelor's in Nursing which she expects to complete next May. "There were days when I had to miss practice or come late, but I think that made me value the time I did have at practice even more.
 
"I had to be very intentional and focused every time I stepped on the field because I knew my reps and time were limited compared to my teammates. Balancing nursing school and softball taught me a lot about discipline, time management, and making the most out of every opportunity."
 
Because of Phillips' ability to balance her dedication to her team and success in the classroom, the Gamecocks begin play against UCF in the first round of the NCAA Tallahassee Regional Championship at 2:30 on Friday at JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex.
 
Jacksonville State earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament field of 64 teams as it won the Conference USA championship with a 7-4 win over Liberty. The Gamecocks have won 15 of their last 17 games, enter the regional championship with a 45-14 record, and won 17 of their 20 games during regular-season conference play.
 
The Gamecocks are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018, when they advanced to the NCAA Tallahassee regional finals. While in Tallahassee in 2018, Jacksonville State earned victories over both Kennesaw State and No. 15 Auburn.
 
Phillips enters Jacksonville State's game against UCF among the team leaders in batting average, hits (43), doubles (13), home runs (eight), slugging percentage (.552), and OPS (.933), which is calculated by combining a players' on-base and slugging percentages. She's ranked ninth in school history with 37 career doubles.
 
Long days spent perfecting her talents on the softball field and excelling in the classroom are nothing new to the Alexandria, Ala., native who felt the grip of a softball for the first time when she was three years old.
 
"My older sister played, so being around the game at such a young age naturally made me want to be part of it too," said Phillips, "My dad was the one who first put a softball in my hand, and from that point on, I just fell in love with the game."
 
A two-sport prep star (in softball and basketball), Phillips played for six years on the varsity softball team at Alexandria High School. She was an all-state selection in both sports.
 
When it came to choosing where to play softball collegiately, the choice was easy,  
 
Just as softball is the family sport, Jacksonville State University is the family school.
 
"Jacksonville State is special to my family because it feels like home," said Phillips, "The school has a strong sense of community, and being close to family has made my college experience even more meaningful. The family atmosphere and support system at Jacksonville State are what make it stand out to me. It's a place that represents both personal growth and strong family values."
 
It's also the school where her entire family either began or finished their academic careers.
 
Her dad, Chris, began his collegiate career at JSU before graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in electrical engineering. Her mom, Karen, graduated with a degree in social work from JSU, and her sister, Maggie, graduated with a secondary education degree in English from JSU. 
 
It's obvious that education has always been important to the Phillips family,
 
"Academics have always been a major priority for both me and my family," said Phillips, a two-time Conference USA Academic Honor Roll selection. "From a young age, my parents emphasized the importance of working hard in the classroom just as much as in athletics. They always taught me that sports can open doors, but education is what sets you up for long-term success. Being able to balance nursing school with softball has been challenging, but it's something I've taken a lot of pride in because of the values my family instilled in me growing up."
 
With her nursing degree in hand, Phillips' senior year – and best season of her career – will culminate with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in her career.
 
On Friday, Phillips will take her place on the right side of the infield and in her usual place in the Gamecocks' batting lineup, look out over the field, and know that her hard work has paid off. She'll be exactly where she visualized she'd be during the third week of May – on a softball field, playing in the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I think a big reason this has been the best seasons of my career is my mindset and confidence," said Phillips. "Over time, I've learned to trust the work I've put in and not overthink things when I'm on the field. Balancing nursing school and softball has also helped me mature mentally and stay disciplined, which has carried over into my game. If I had to point to one thing, I'd say it's being more present and focused on every moment and just playing freely and confidently."
 
Gamecock head coach Julie Boland, who is in her second season as Jacksonville State's head coach after a 23-year career as an assistant coach in the program, has watched Phillips' entire career from the top step of the dugout. She's seen Phillips move around the diamond defensively, move up the batting order, grow offensively, and graduate from Jacksonville State.
 
"Ashley is a great leader," said Boland. "The leadership she has shown through determination, as far as managing the schedule that she has outside of softball has been wonderful. She has split her time between the nursing program and given 100 percent to that. When she steps onto the softball field she gives 100 percent to softball and her teammates.
 
"For her to be successful on the field as a student-athlete, and as successful in the classroom, speaks volumes to her character. Her ability to be a part of our team as not only a player but a leader, has helped tremendously in our success."
 
With just a few precious seconds during each of her busy days to reflect on her career, she knows that her four years at Jacksonville State have passed in the blink of an eye. Her memories and accomplishments are many and will last a lifetime.
 
"My favorite softball memory has definitely been winning the Conference USA title and earning the opportunity to play in a regional," said Phillips, who hopes to work as an emergency room nurse. "Those moments were so rewarding because of all the hard work, sacrifice, and time our team put in throughout the season. Being able to celebrate that accomplishment with my teammates, coaches, and family made it even more special, and it's something I'll always remember."