By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Aliza Jewell might be the best-kept secret in Indiana softball. Her statistics jump off the page, like the ball explodes off her bat. Now she’s ready to command some attention.
Bedford North Lawrence’s Jewell, a gem on the diamond, officially signed with Mount St. Joseph University on Friday night, completing her verbal commitment from last year. She is projected to be a two-way contributor – offensively with her bat, defensively with her arm in the circle – for the Lions.
Jewell has played in the shadow of teammates Annie Waggoner (now at Indiana State), Braxton McCauley (Purdue) and superstar Ava Ratliff (destined for South Carolina) over the last three years, but her star shines bright enough on its own. She hit a robust .528 (with six home runs and 46 RBIs) for the Stars in 2023, and her 56 hits rank second (to Ratliff’s 57) on the school’s single-season record book.
“I think they’re getting a stud,” BNL coach Brad Gilbert said. “I hope they realize what they’re getting. She will step in and make an immediate impact.
“If you look at her stats, she got overshadowed a little because everyone looks at Ava. But she had 56 hits. Her and Ava are the only players in our program history to have 50 hits in a season. She has developed into an unbelievable player.”
In fact, as Jewell looks forward to her senior season with the Stars, her numbers have improved each year. She hit .348 with 3 HRs and 13 RBIs as a freshman, then .372 with 8 homers and 27 RBIs as a junior. In the circle, the left-hander was 8-3 (2.91 ERA) as a freshman, 8-0 (2.62 ERA) as a sophomore, and 9-2 as a junior. She will take over the top spot in the rotation this season.
“I’m excited,” Jewell said. “It’s going to be tough, but it will be fun.”
She choose MSJ because of its intimate campus, and the chance to play multiple spots.
“I wanted to be able to hit, not just pitch,” she said. “I like both. I really like the small campus. It’s actually smaller than BNL, and I know a lot of Indiana girls going there.”
MSJ, under head coach Beth Goderwis, went 31-13 last spring before falling to Transylvania in the HCAC Tournament. The Lions already have 14 players from Indiana on their roster.
BNL went 24-8 last season, suffering a loss to Floyd Central in the sectional. Jewell will be a pivotal player as the Stars seek to bounce back.
“Not to put pressure on her,” Gilbert said, “but we’re expecting big things.”
