You'd think that a four-year starter at shortstop who consistently hits .400 would always get top billing.

But Jordan Barnes has typically gone about her buisness under the radar for the Lake Region Thunder.

That is- until we paid Barnes a visit to inform her that she's our Athlete of the Week.

You won’t find many quote-unquote “number two pitchers” with stuff like Barnes.

“It’s just great because our team doesn’t have to lean on one person,” senior pitcher Mary Haff said.  “They know that if I can’t get it done that day someone’s right behind me to get it done.  She’s such a humble player.  She never talks about how good she is.”

Barnes may not get the attention of teammate Mary Haff, and Arkansas signee and the reigning Class 7A Pitcher of the Year.

But Jordan’s used to being overlooked after growing up with a sister, Jessica, who starred at the Division I level at Florida Gulf Coast University in two different sports.

“I’m always like, ‘all right- I know it’s Jessica, but this is Jordan,’” Barnes said with a laugh.

But when Barnes is in the spotlight, she shines.

Jordan pitched brilliantly in a 1-0 loss in last year’s state final, and she came up huge again to close out the regular season at Bartow.

Barnes went 3-4 at the plate against the 9th-ranked Yellow Jackets and pitched a four-hit complete game without giving up an earned run to help the Thunder knock off their rival.

“They needed me, and I came through for them,” Barnes said.  “And they actually believed in me and believed that I could pull through for them.”

“Jordan pitched and amazing game,” Haff said.  “I think some people underestimate her, but that game just showed how great she is as a pitcher.”

That win was even more impressive when you consider Lake Region was missing four starters, including Haff.

Now the focus shifts to the playoffs.

Barnes, who will be back in her regular shortstop spot, hopes to take care of some unfinished business before she’s off to play in college at Daytona State.

That unfinished business is simple: winning a state championship after being a state runner-up two of the last three years.

“It would be amazing,” Barnes said.  “Going there twice, coming in second, and finally doing it your senior year.  That would be like the set-off to everything.”

That’s something that would be impossible to overlook.