Written by Byron Beers

Jaliyah Simmons contributes in a lot of ways on the softball field for Muskogee High School.

Simmons, a junior, plays in the outfield and hits leadoff for the Lady Roughers, who were off to a 12-7 start through April 6 under head coach Mark Dicus.

“Jaliyah is the one player that pulls through for us at every moment,” Dicus said. “If it be defensively making a huge play when we need a stop, or offensively when we need a hit or a run to be scored. She’s the one we want! She puts up big numbers for us and leads the team in almost every category. We look forward to seeing her numbers this slowpitch season.”

As a sophomore, Simmons swiped 19 bases, scored 41 runs and had 50 hits. She led all of Class 6A in triples.

“We’ve gotten closer as a team and matured as players,” Simmons said of this year’s team. “I’d like to have a winning season and get better and work harder, as well as increase my GPA.”

Having played softball since the age of four, she looks up to the University of Oklahoma’s Jayda Coleman, a 2022 NFCA First Team All-American.

“She is a great leader and has crazy energy,” Simmons said. “Also, she’s an amazing outfielder and hitter.”

Simmons, who played alongside her sister, Jordan Simmons, as a freshman and cherishes the memories of turning double plays with her as middle infielders, is always looking to improve her game from the plate.

“Tee work is my favorite drill because it gives me a chance to really work on my technique and hitting the ball correctly,” she said.

She’s at her best in supplying power as a hitter and running the bases.

“My strengths are my power in hitting and base running,” Simmons said. “I’ve improved my knowledge of the game.”

 Simmons, who looks forward to the regional tournament, hopes to continue her softball career following high school and says she loves to dance during her time away from the game.