By MIKE KEECH, The Virginian-Pilot
© March 20, 2007
CHESAPEAKE - Her nickname is "Mouse," and Jessica Fix is a roaring success at Deep Creek.A 5-foot-2 junior with ample pop in her bat, Fix loves surprising people who are seeing her on the softball field for the first time. "I'm 5-2, but that's mostly muscle in my 145 pounds," said Fix, who bats third for the Hornets.
Despite her power physically, Fix points to a mental change as being crucial to her development. "My attitude has changed dramatically in the past year," she said. "I used to hate practice and felt softball was just all about me.  "Now, I've learned the importance of working with my teammates and love practicing to get better." Fix has developed a strong bond with junior second baseman Erin McTamney. "We didn't click at first last year, but we've gotten to know each other so well and have connected," Fix said. "We know exactly where each other will be on a double play and how to get rid of the ball quickly in good position." Fix credits her stepfather, Edward, a 26-year Navy veteran, for her development in softball. "He works with me on off days, hitting me ground balls or pitching batting practice to me," said Fix, who regularly stays late to take extra batting practice. "He was a good high school athlete and encouraged me to pursue a sport and not just sit around. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be playing now." Deep Creek coach Dave Noblin has monitored Fix's progress since she came up to the varsity late in her freshman year. "The rise in her maturity level last year was incredible," he said. "She has a power bat and one of the strongest arms I've seen to go with great range. "She's also tough. Jessica could get hit by a Mack truck and want to keep playing." Fix's mother, Lisa, who also has served more than 20 years in the Navy, provided her nickname because of a gift mouse Jessica sent her while she was on deployment several years ago. "She called me 'Mouse' at a game one day and it stuck," Fix said. "She is currently training in Texas and will be deployed to the Iraq-Kuwait border next month." Fix does some drilling of her own in an ROTC program at Deep Creek. "So many people in the program want to help you, and it has made me a stronger person," she said.