INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - Head Coach Samantha Allen and the Independence Softball program is excited to announce the hiring of Emma Jones as an Assistant Coach. 

Jones returns to Independence where she played Catcher and First Base from 2021-2023. She was a member of the Regional Champion and National Tournament qualifier team in 2023.

Jones is originally from Sherman, Texas where she graduated from Sherman High School. She received her Associate of Science degree from Independence CC in 2023 before transferring to MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. In her two years there, the Pioneers qualified for the conference tournament both years, and Jones was able to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration this last spring.

During her time as a player at Indy, Jones appeared in 87 games over two years, hitting above .300 both years and totalled 11 home runs. She was an All-Conference Honorable Mention in her sophomore season. 

In her two years at NAIA MidAmerica, Jones appeared in 60 games and amassed 42 hits in those games. 

Jones will now make the transition from player to coach as Independence will be her first collegiate coaching job. 

“We're super excited to have Emma on staff,” said Head Coach Samantha Allen. “Her experience playing here during our national tournament run shows she knows what it takes to get us back there.”