Jenny Hehnke

Jennifer Hehnke dominated the local softball scene as the starting pitcher and four- year varsity letterman at San Marcos from 1993-96. Winning 85 games, the second most in CIF as of 1996, Hehnke was a three-time Channel League MVP (1994, 1995, 1996), two-time All-County MVP (1995, 1996) and a First-Team All-County selection (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996). The three-time SBART Softball Player of the Year (1994, 1995, 1996) and San Marcos Female Athlete of the Year (1996) notched 55 shutouts, eight no-hitters and two perfect games in her career – all while never losing to Dos Pueblos or Santa Barbara. Hehnke holds a .77 career ERA and a .404 career batting average.

Hehnke attended Mississippi State University on a full athletic scholarship. Named as an Easton Second Team All-American in 1998, Hehnke also pitched MSU’s only perfect game and 19.1 scoreless innings in 1997. She was awarded the Newsom Award – given to an MSU athlete for academic performance – in 1999. One of Hehnke’s proudest moments was competing in a 24-inning playoff game against Agoura High School in 1995. She recalls the emotional and intense match- up and the team coming together to last all those innings and win. She credits her supportive family, coaches and the incredible combination of teammates that have played together at a very high level.

Currently, the Santa Barbara News-Press Softball Player of the Decade lives in Eugene, Ore., where she is writing her dissertation to complete her doctorate in political science.