The year was 1961 and a great race was underway as Roger Maris chased Babe Ruth’s record of 60 home runs.
It took Maris 161 games to break the record and etch his name in the record book.
Fast forward 63 years.
University Prep’s Dani Jackman didn’t need quite as many games to accomplish what Maris did in 1961. Over the course of four seasons, it took the slugger 95 games to etch her name into the CIF-Southern Section record book for the second time in her varsity softball career.
Jackman broke Chino Hills’ Tannon Snow’s record of 60 career varsity home runs on Tuesday afternoon in the first inning against Canyon Springs to give the Jaguars a quick three-run lead. University Prep beat Canyon Springs 7-4.
“Hitting a home run is an adrenaline rush that is so addicting. It’s so much fun to round the bases because it’s so gratifying,” Jackman said. “(The run to break the record) has been really validating for all the work that I have put in for so long. It feels so good to share this accomplishment with probably one of my favorite teams that I have played with in my time here.”
Good genes and an even better taste in music
When asked where the source of her power comes from, Jackman stared into the outfield for a second and laughed.
There’s a joke amongst her family regarding her power. Her father takes full credit, she says.
Garcia vs. Haney: Victorville's Ryan Garcia ready to silence the doubts in his highly anticipated bout with Devin Haney
“He claims it’s good genes,” Jackman said. “But we all joke around because we don’t know where the power comes from. It seems like one day I just kind of started putting it all together and started hitting for power a few years ago.”
While her father jokes about good genes, he gets full credit for introducing her to the game.
Jackman began playing T-ball but didn’t quite like playing with boys.
She returned to playing little league around the age of 11, and then when she turned 12, came the full-time softball schedule.
Jackman’s father also gets credited for her taste in music.
In a time where artists ranging from Taylor Swift to Teddy Swims to Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma dominate playlists, University Prep head coach Joe Zimmerman now and then is thankful when Jackman’s playlists boom through the speakers.
“We get along great because she loves dad jokes and 80s rock,” Zimmerman said.
Jackman is really looking forward to Senior Night when she gets the chance to walk up to bat with “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica.
“I really love 80s metal. It really pumps me up,” Jackman said. “I’m really talking about my dad a lot, but my parents really have a big influence in everything I do, how I approach softball. My parents are my biggest inspiration. Everything I have is all thanks to them.”
On April 10, Jackman tried her best to pay back her father for everything.
She cranked her 59th career home run in the first inning of a 16-0 victory over Big Bear.
“I really wanted to do it on my dad’s birthday and put quite a bit of pressure on myself,” Jackman said after going 2-for-2 with a walk and a hit by pitch. “Oh well, he got to see No. 59.”
‘She doesn’t feel above anyone else’
Jackman burst on the scene as a freshman with 10 home runs. In 21 games that season, she hit for a .507 batting average with 49 RBIs.
Her first home run came in her first varsity game on March 20, 2021. Jackman remembers having a 3-0 count and taking a look at Zimmerman standing in the third base coach's box.
“He gave me the green light and said ‘Go ahead and swing if you want it,’” Jackman recalls. “I swung at the pitch and sent it into the bushes.”
In 24 games as a sophomore, Jackman smacked 19 home runs with a .723 batting average and 76 RBIs.
The mark of 19 home runs is the second-most hit in a season within the CIF-SS. Snow set the record of 28 home runs during the 2015 season. The Jaguars collectively hit 40 home runs that 2022 season, which is tied for the eighth-best mark within the CIF-SS in a season.
As a junior, Jackman matched her total of 76 RBIs, along with 15 home runs and a .649 batting average in 26 games.
“Dani is one of the most down-to-earth kids ever coached. She’s humble and doesn’t feel above anyone else,” Zimmerman said. “Dani is not afraid of hard work and doing all the other stuff, you know, that some people might blow off a little bit knowing how good they are. That’s not her. She practices hard every day and then leaves to go get more hitting practice in. She’s just got a great work ethic.”
More: Vote for the Victorville Chevrolet High School Athlete of the Week
Future plans
With graduation just around the corner for Jackman and her senior classmates at University Prep, the rest of the season will be filled with cherished memories.
While there are just a few weeks left to the season, her playing days are far from over.
Jackman will be attending Williams College, in Massachusetts to continue playing softball.
She’s intrigued by living on the East Coast and while there plans to study English.
“I love reading. Have always loved it,” Jackman said. “So I want to go into publishing, write books, or help people make books. I just want to do something with books, and I’m just getting more into writing. So maybe end up publishing in New York, maybe.”
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Prep Softball: University Prep's Jackman breaks CIF-SS record, blasts 61st career home run
Most Popular
Comments / 0