There’s a standard Jordyn Hemingway has set for herself.

It’s one that assures the Northern Lehigh senior will never settle for anything less than her best.

And one that also helped Hemingway become the benchmark for area softball players.

Hemingway put together the finest season of her career last spring as a junior en route to Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Softball Player of the Year honors.

Humble and hard working, Hemingway is primed to repeat that success with the Bulldogs this season.

Hemingway’s path forward is now also in focus after announcing that she will continue her academic and athletic career at Division I Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Securing her future in the sport she loves is something Hemingway didn’t just hope to achieve. She worked to accomplish it.

“It’s really cool to represent my school and have my career go on in softball,” said Hemingway. “It’s really cool, and I’m really excited about it.

“I started playing when I was really young, and through middle school I loved it; I wanted to start playing tournament ball. And maybe freshman year or a little bit earlier I decided I wanted to play (in college). I really love the sport.”

Hemingway’s passion for softball is undeniable. Her ability is without question.

Her breakout came in her second full campaign after her freshman season was canceled by the coronavirus pandemic. Hemingway posted team-leading statistics in batting average (.579), on-base percentage (.634), slugging percentage (1.026), on-base plus slugging (1.650), hits (44), home runs (four), doubles (16), RBIs (25), and runs scored (33) while only striking out once in 2021.

“Last season I had a really great year, and it just made me want to go more, on and on, to see what else I can do at the college level and everything like that,” said Hemingway, who also led the team with 14 steals.

Hemingway’s success is the product of her dedication and hard work.

“We kind of knew that she was right on the cusp of being able to make a name for herself, so I’m really glad that that happened before she left the halls of Northern Lehigh,” Bulldogs’ head coach Kate Farber said of Hemingway, who leads by example.

“I think she sets that precedent for all the girls in the program, and that doesn’t just include the girls that are in high school now, that’s all the way down to our youth organization. But the best part about it is that she does it in a way that isn’t, ‘Look at me, look at me.’ She is that silent leader. She sets forth her examples through her performance, not her words. I think players at all levels of our program look up to her, and they definitely want to be able to follow in her footsteps.”

In addition to her time with the Bulldogs, Hemingway also plays for the Outlaws fastpitch tournament team in the offseason.

Hemingway stays busy playing softball through the summer and fall, and sometimes will play dome tournaments in the winter. The team also travels, going to Florida in January where the squad played eight games in three days.

At Fairleigh Dickinson, Hemingway will study special education or early education.

Farber is excited for what’s to come in Hemingway’s final season after the squad qualified for the District 11 and Colonial League playoffs last season.

“We’re very excited,” said Farber. “She helps us out tremendously, and I think that she internalizes that pressure a lot of times, because I think that she knows a lot of the girls are kind of counting on her, especially when it matters most.

“But at the same time it’s also very bittersweet, because we did lose out on that year with her and this is the last year. So we’re excited, but I also find myself reflecting as we get closer to the start of the season, that it is our final season with her, and that’s hard. She’s one of those players you’d love to have around forever.”

Hemingway has already left her mark on the program. Now she’s ready to do it again.

“Last year helped a lot. I know that I can do it, and what my standards are,” said Hemingway. “Obviously, I want to do better.”