Florida Gulf Coast University softball head coach David Deiros announced Aug. 7 the signing of six new players, including the Seminole Tribe’s Ahnie Jumper of the Big Cypress Reservation.
The six newcomers – three freshmen and three transfers – join the five incoming freshmen and one transfer who signed in the fall with the NCAA Division I program in Fort Myers.

“We are very pleased to announce the addition of six talented players to our already strong 2017 recruiting class,” Deiros said in a press release. “We believe this group will help us be even more potent at the plate and more versatile in the field.”

Jumper, the daughter of Josh and Andrea Jumper, is a three-time state champion and a First Team All-Broward County selection in back-to-back years at American Heritage in Plantation. As a senior in the 2017 season, Jumper hit .488 with six doubles, a triple and a home run to help American Heritage to a Class 6A runner-up finish. Jumper was the team’s primary catcher, but she also played other positions.

“Ahnie is a fantastic athlete who can play any position on the field. We love her strength behind the plate and her fearlessness at the hot corner,” Deiros said.

Jumper also played volleyball in high school and was a member of the school’s inaugural bowling team last winter. She was named American Heritage’s Female Senior Outstanding Athlete of the Year in May. She also excels in rodeo and recently qualified for the Indian National Finals Rodeo that will be held in November in Las Vegas. Jumper’s older brothers, Andre and Blevyns, won state championships as members of American Heritage’s football team.

The five other newest Eagles are Bri Bennett (C – Jacksonville, Fla.), Ashley Biddle (1B – Trenton, Fla.), Farley Callaghan (OF – Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.), Brooke Clemens (C – Rotonda West, Fla.) and Addy Simpson (P/SS – Delray Beach, Fla.).

Deiros has been FGCU’s only softball head coach in the program’s 15-year history. The team compiled a 30-30 record in 2017 and reached the conference final. In the 2012 postseason, the Eagles notched the university’s first NCAA Division I tournament victory in any sport with a 2-1 win against the University of Florida.

FGCU’s fall exhibition slate includes seven games, starting with a home game against Miami Dade College on Sept. 30 at noon.