Softball player's mom also Creek Wood coach: 'Try my hardest to get a state title for her'

Jase Jackson was just seven months old during Creek Wood High School’s inaugural softball season in 2002.

And now, 16 years later, the sophomore is in the unusual position of playing shortstop for her mother, Nancy Jackson.

But, having your mom as your coach isn’t as easy as one might think, Jase explains.

“Sometimes we do have our differences,” she said. “Getting along with her all the time is hard. It’s hard to take the mom and coach relationship on and off the field.”

Jase says getting used to playing for her mom was a tough transition at first.

“I’ve never played for one of my parents before high school,” she said. “But, I’ve always been around Creek Wood and so I’ve always know how it’s run.”

Coaching her own daughter is difficult at times for Nancy Jackson because she’s feels like she’s missing out.

“I feel bad for her sometimes because she never gets to have a mom,” Nancy Jackson said. “She always has to go home with coach, never mom and she doesn’t have mom in the stands.”

Though the two are constantly connected through the softball field, the Red Hawks haven’t struggled because of it.

Jase entered Spring Fling leading the Red Hawks (37-14) with a .462 batting average, 58 RBIs and 20 doubles on the season.

“She bats in the three-hole and puts the ball in play for us,” Nancy Jackson said. “I can count on her to put the ball in play every time. I can ask her where to hit the ball and she does.”

Entering Spring Fling this year Jase had just one goal in mind.

“I’ve always told her I was going to try my hardest to get a state title for her,” Jase Jackson said. “She’s never gotten one and I want to be able to do that for her.”

Coaching her daughter at Creek Wood is something Nancy Jackson will never forget.

“She’s a true Red Hawk,” she said. “It kind of means something to her. She’s been there and is a lifelong Red Hawk.”

Reach Andrew Preston at APreston@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AndrewPreston33