While being described as quiet, it may be hard to think U. Kansas senior first baseman Amanda Jobe could throw a punch if she needed to. But she did a lot more than that on her way to becoming a recommended black belt.

After starting tae kwon do when she was nine, she moved up to the rank of recommended black belt, the level which precedes the black belt and takes a year to complete, but she had to decide between tae kwon do and softball because of the time commitment each one required.

“I wish I would’ve been able to find the time to do both, but the level I got into in karate required a lot more time,” Jobe said.

Softball was the choice, and as she comes to the end of her softball career, she said she embraced the game by putting everything she had into it.

During her high school career, which included a state title and a state runner-up, Jobe said playing for Kansas was her goal. When Kansas offered her a scholarship her sophomore year in high school, she quickly committed.

“I grew up a Jayhawk fan my entire life. It was kind of a no-brainer,” Jobe said. “I committed really early because I knew if I was given the option, I would go here.”

Jobe became a four-year starter, and after being moved around her freshman year, she started at first base for the past three seasons. With Kansas fielding a young team this season that starts four freshmen, coach Megan Smith said Jobe was a great asset to help lead the team.

“She’s not very loud on the field, but she leads by example, and the underclassmen see how she conducts herself on and off the field,” Smith said. “We hope all of our players strive to be like her.”

Junior catcher Brittany Hile, who played with Jobe before they both went to Kansas, said Jobe has a great passion for the game, even if it may not look like it.

“She’ll make the plays, get outs and just not seem too excited,” Hile said. “She doesn’t show it much, but you know she has the drive to get it done.”

Being a four-year starter, Jobe has embraced being a student-athlete, being named on both All-Big 12 Second Team twice as well as Academic All-Big 12 First Team twice in her first three years.

Jobe said it got difficult balancing school and softball, and in one course alone, she has missed around 20 classes this semester.

“It’s hard because there’s really not much I can do about it,” Jobe said. “It’s a struggle, but my teachers and coaches have really been great.”

After Jobe gets her bachelor’s degree, she said she planned to apply to the University of Kansas Medical Center this summer, and has thought about either a family practice or sports medicine.

Jobe said with her final season coming to a close, she doesn’t know what life will be like after softball.

“I’ve played softball for so many years and involved in a system that really helped guide me through everything,” Jobe said. “I’m about to be at a point where I’m kind of all on my own.”