Jessie Harper’s jersey number is 19, what some might see as a symbol for one of the most compelling storylines of the 2021 Arizona softball season.
19 just so happens to be the number of home runs she needs to tie the NCAA all-time record. And no matter where the senior steps into the batter’s box this season, the home run chase—and all the hype surrounding it—will follow her.
Harper isn’t oblivious to it. She knows her pursuit of history will be mentioned ad nauseam this season. Every time she goes yard she will be asked about moving up the all-time leaderboard and what it means to her.