Addison Jackson has consistently displayed a work ethic well beyond her years, and  recently her drive for excellence paid off in a big way.

The 11 year old earned earned a spot on the USA Elite Select Futures Southeast softball squad after competing in a May 12 showcase in Carencro, La.

“I love to go play with the best players and see how my hard work pays off compared to their’s,” Jackson said.

Although the Trinity Episcopal student typically shines on the diamond as a pitcher, she managed to make the elite squad as a shortstop.

“I wanted to make it as a pitcher, but I put shortstop as my secondary position,” Jackson said. “I didn’t do too great (at pitcher) because I was really nervous. But shortstop I was fine. I’m fine with whatever I make it as.”

Jackson and her teammates will be headed to Orlando, Fla. from July 31-Aug. 5 to compete against fellow Elite Select Future teams.

The Southeast squad will compete against seven other teams from across the country, with games set to be played at Disney’s World Wide of Sports Complex.

Jackson said her team will be coached by either an NCAA softball coach or professional softball player.

Jackson found out she made the prestigious squad on May 30, eliciting a memorable response from the softball standout.

“I was freaking out. I was running around the house. I was jumping on my brother’s (Preston Jackson) bed and hugging him,” Jackson said.

Traveling all-star teams is nothing uncommon for Jackson as she has been competing with the USSSA Pride 05 travel ball team based out of Monroe, La for nearly the past two years.

“I love them, it’s my favorite team that I’ve been on so far,” Jackson said.

This past weekend in Alexandria, La., Jackson and her Pride teammates took home state championship honors with the local product pitched her team to a 5-3 win Saturday night.

“We’re very proud of her,” said Jackson’s mother Gayla Jackson. “She works hard every day of the week. Not too many girls her age work every day.”

Jackson relies not only on the support of coaches, but also of her mother and father, Eric Jackson.

“My dad always researches everything I do,” Jackson said. “He’ll look up the correct mechanics for fielding or whatever it is. Mom videos me so he can watch me and make corrections.”

As for now, Jackson is focusing on another tournament with her Pride team in Dallas, Texas.

“Softball means everything to me,” she said. “If I didn’t have softball I’d just be sitting around the house every day. I get to make so many friends.”