2012 (Freshman): Jones appeared 40 times in 2012 and started 16 games on the year, most coming in right field. Her first career hit came in Mizzou's victory over East Tennessee State to close out the season-opening Quality Inn Classic and she also swiped her first career base in the contest. The next game, Jones came off the bench and delivered a pinch-hit double against UC Davis. She doubled again that same weekend, recording a two-base hit against Northwestern. Her breakout game came on March 11 against Alcorn State, where she went 3-for-3 with two home runs and five runs batted in - the most RBI in a single game by any Tiger in 2012. Her two home runs also made her one of just two Mizzou players to have a multi-home run game on the year. Jones had a big series against Kansas, hitting a pair of three run homers to help Mizzou to the sweep. In the opener, she came off the bench to deliver a pinch hit walk off blast in the bottom of the sixth to cap Mizzou's 10-0 run-rule win. On Sunday, in the series finale, Jones hit a three run homer in the third inning to highlight a six run frame. Jones finished the year with four home runs, tied for fifth-most on the team.
Carmel: Jones played center field for the Carmel Greyhounds under head coach Emily Good and helped lead the team to an Indiana Class 4A State Championship in 2011. She closed out her career with numerous national achievements, including being a three-time NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-American, a 2011 Under Armour All-American, 2011 ESPN Rise All-American and the Gatorade Player of the Year for Indiana. She was also a three-time All-Indiana selection, three time All-Conference and is the career and single season home run leader at Carmel High School. She was ESPN Rise's Athlete of the Day on Oct. 8, 2010. As a sophomore, Jones hit .505 with 12 home runs and 52 RBI, the most in the state. During her junior year, Jones batted .453 with nine home runs, nine doubles, 10 stolen bases and 26 RBI. She was invited to the adidas Futures Top 100 Camp in 2009. She played club ball for the Illinois Southern Force, guiding them to two 16U ASA/USA Nationals appearances and a trip to the 2011 Premiere Nationals. Jones was a National Honor Society member, and was a four-time Academic All-Conference honoree. She was also a four-time NFCA/Girls Got Game Scholar Athlete and a four-time Carmel High School Scholar Athlete.
Personal: Kelsi Jones was born to Russell and Candy Jones in Carmel, Ind. on Aug. 2, 1992. She has one sibling, a younger sister, Adrienne. Her father, Russell, is an attorney and attended Eastern Kentucky University. Her grandfather, Robert Jones, played football at the University of Kentucky. She is majoring in sports psychology with hopes of one day being a sports psychologist in the NFL.
