Lindsey Jones, a former North Augusta High School Lady Jackets’ softball standout and all-conference collegiate softball player at the University of South Carolina Aiken, says returning to her alma mater as the next head softball coach at North Augusta High is a dream come true.
Jones’ hiring was approved by the Aiken County Board of Education during its Tuesday, June 14, 2022, regular meeting. She is a 2009 graduate of North Augusta High School who was named to the 2009 South Carolina 4A North/South Senior Softball All-Star Game. She also played varsity basketball for the Lady Jackets. Jones takes over leadership of the program from longtime head coach Craig Gilstrap, who led the team to the 2022 Class AAAA State Championship.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to my roots at North Augusta High School,” stated Jones. “I’m back in the Nest! I love the game, I love the competitiveness, and I love having the opportunity to impact and inspire young players of the game. Having the opportunity to do all of this as the head coach at my alma mater – it’s a dream come true. My experiences as a player and as a coach have come full circle. I am back where it all started for me, and I could not be more excited!
Following her graduation from North Augusta High, Jones played softball collegiately as a four-year starter and three-year team captain at the University of South Carolina Aiken from 2010 to 2013, where she earned a number of accolades, including leading the Peach Belt Conference in assists as a freshman, being named as the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2012, and being named to the Peach Belt All-Conference Team in 2013.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from USC Aiken.
When her college playing career with the Pacers came to an end, Jones transitioned to coaching. Beginning in 2013, she served as an assistant coach with the Lady Jackets where she was responsible for creating and implementing a skill-specific conditioning program, leading infield and outfield drills, and serving as the team’s batting practice pitcher and pitching coach.
Jones returned to USC Aiken in 2015 as an assistant coach and recruiting and scheduling coordinator, where she scheduled games and practices, created daily practice schedules, led strength and conditioning sessions, infield and hitting practices, and assisted with pitching practices. She then accepted a new assistant coaching position in 2017 with nationally-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, where she helped lead the Bears to the 2018 South Atlantic Conference regular season championship. Eight players on the team earned positions on All-South Atlantic Conference Teams, including the South Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
Jones says she will bring the same passion for the game she found playing and coaching in the collegiate ranks to North Augusta High School.
“I really hope to get my players excited about the potential of playing at the next level. If they have that dream of playing softball in college, I want them to know that it is just as possible for them, as it was for me,” commented Jones. “I was able to play college softball because I worked and focused extremely hard at practices, and even at home on my own, to make that dream a reality. Playing and coaching at the college level made me even more of a competitor. As I transition to coaching at North Augusta, I will bring that same work ethic, that same competitiveness, and that same enthusiasm for the game. I hope to instill these qualities in each player I meet, and truly get them excited for not only the future of this program, but for their own futures as well.”
Jones followed the Lady Jackets’ success during the 2022 softball season and was thrilled when the team captured the school’s first softball state championship. She says bringing home the state title will only serve to set the competitive bar even higher for the Lady Jackets.
“I have some big shoes to fill for sure. Coach Gilstrap is a great coach and person to follow in this role. I could not have been prouder of or more excited for those girls, coaches, and the North Augusta community,” stated Jones. “As a former player, I live for that kind of excitement. I know what it feels like to have the support of the entire community as you chase down that state title. Those girls and those coaches felt that enormous support and excitement this past season.”
“While we’re losing a lot of talented players, our program always looks forward to great talent coming up too,” Jones added. “I know every softball player that wears a North Augusta Jersey will feel that same sense of pride and excitement following a state championship-winning team and that it will motivate us all to work hard to continue that success.”
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2022 PR NORTH AUGUSTA SOFTBALL COACH