From her years playing softball at Providence Day to now, Jala Wright has spent her career making an impact on the sport - on and off the field.

She’s mentored and encouraged young players, spent hours signing autographs, and taken opportunities to help her teammates as much as possible.

“Jala has always been team-centered,” says Head Softball Coach Kristie Oglesby, who coached Jala when she played for the Chargers between the 2017-18 school year until 2020. Coach Oglesby also is the Physical Education and Health Department Chair. “She was one of the best players on her team at Providence Day.”

She continues: “One of the things that stood out to me was that she would come off the field first, and the first thing she did was high-five her teammates as they came off the field.”

Jala pitched for Duke between 2021 and 2024 and had a breakout season her senior year. She was twice the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week, first team All ACC, unanimous ACC Pitcher of the Year, Top 26 Finalist for National Player of the Year, made the All ACC tournament team, and named the MVP of the ACC tournament, among others.

She recorded more than 450 strikeouts, was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, made the academic All-America Team, an NCAA Woman of the Year nominee, and played in the women’s college world series - the first softball player from Providence Day to do so.

“God blessed me in more ways than one,” says Jala, who graduated from Duke with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and journalism/media studies. 

Slayla, her nickname, says she takes the mound knowing her “best stuff” is better than her competition.

“So if I attack, I am golden,” Jala says. “In the circle, you have to be unfazed as you control the game. It takes confidence to not let the game control you because it will in a second.”

At Providence Day, Jala was named to the All-Conference team, the conference Player of the Year, and first-team All-State in 2019. In two seasons, she was 19-12 overall. She had a combined batting average of 458, an on-base percentage of 604, a slugging percentage of 719, and 57 stolen bases. She struck out 300 batters.

“Jala made an immediate impact on our team,” Coach Oglesby says. “She came in, and we finished at the top of our conference both seasons and advanced in the state playoffs.”

Jala says her time at Providence Day helped her at Duke.

“I have learned connections are key,” she says. “The people I have cultivated relationships with at Providence Day, especially Coach O, are still in my life to this day. To have a strong village is everything when you want to achieve big goals for yourself as they keep you grounded to be your best self.” 

The right place

Jala hasn’t always had it easy, Coach Oglesby says.

She graduated amid the COVID outbreak. She didn’t get to finish her senior softball season, go to prom or walk during graduation.

After all of that she spent one season at Michigan State only to realize it wasn't a good fit.

But then she landed at Duke.

“I knew she was in the right place,” Coach Oglesby says. “Watching her from afar and attending games when I could, it was obvious how happy she was and how much her game excelled.”

Coach Oglesby attended Jala’s senior game at Duke and then the Women's College World Series.

“[Supporting] her was one of the best experiences I have had as a coach,” the coach says. “There were so many emotions as I watched her step onto the field to pitch. It is probably the biggest stage for a softball player; most little girls dream about making it there one day. Proud is an understatement.”

Further, Coach O took the team and I to a college softball game… during my junior year I believe! Michigan State was playing Clemson! I was geeked watching my future team play a new upcoming program. The team and I got to go on the field to watch my future team warmup, it was awesome! As a young player anticipating college all the feels were in the air!

Forever a softball player

Jala attributes her success to God.

“I have cultivated a better relationship with him after a personally devastating junior year at Duke,” she says. “Leaning not on my understanding while trusting God’s plan for my life has been instrumental in my success. Also, it has allowed me to be more carefree!

Jala is a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville - a place the game she loves took her to, she says.

“I started playing softball when I was five years old. I am 22 now, crazy right?” she says. “I hope I can play softball until I am 80, however, I do not think my arm will be able to go over my head. I am going to try, though.”