A Champion Is Coming to Knoxville: Jessi Warren Joins the Miracle

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Some signings add talent to a roster.

Some help define an organization.

The Knoxville Miracle are proud to announce the signing of Jessi Warren, one of the most accomplished players of her generation and a proven champion at the collegiate, professional and international levels.

For Miracle Head Coach Craig Snider, this signing also represents a reunion.

Snider and Warren were together at Florida State in 2018 when the Seminoles made their historic run through Oklahoma City and captured the first NCAA National Championship in program history.

Eight years later, they’re together again.

This time, they’re helping build something new in Knoxville.

“There are certain players you coach who leave an impact on you long after the games are over, and Jessi is one of those people,” Snider said. “I know the player everyone sees. I’ve also had the privilege of knowing the competitor and person behind it. When you’re trying to establish what a professional organization is going to stand for, you want people who understand winning, preparation, toughness and accountability. Jessi represents all of it.”

Calling Warren’s résumé accomplished almost doesn’t do it justice.

During her legendary career at Florida State, Warren became one of the greatest players in program and Atlantic Coast Conference history.

She finished her collegiate career with a .391 batting average, 83 home runs, 273 RBI, 229 runs and an .820 slugging percentage. She was a three-time NFCA All-American, four-time First-Team All-ACC selection, two-time ACC Player of the Year and the 2017 ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

But Warren’s defining collegiate moment came in Oklahoma City.

During Florida State’s remarkable 2018 Women’s College World Series run, Warren hit .520 with 13 hits, tying the WCWS record for hits at the time.

Then came the play.

With Florida State protecting a 1-0 lead against Washington in Game 1 of the championship series, Warren made a diving catch at third base that became one of the defining images of the Seminoles’ championship run.

One night later, Warren went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI as Florida State completed its historic national championship.

She was named the 2018 Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

“People remember the catch — and they should,” Snider said. “But what I’ve always remembered is everything that went into being ready for that moment. Jessi has always wanted the moment. Pressure doesn’t make her smaller. It brings out the best in her. That’s something you can’t manufacture, and it’s something our younger players can learn from every single day.”

Warren’s success didn’t stop when she left Tallahassee.

Selected seventh overall in the 2018 National Pro Fastpitch Draft, Warren went on to win professional championships with the USSSA Pride and earned a Rawlings Gold Glove.

She later became one of the premier defensive players in Athletes Unlimited, earning multiple defensive honors, including the 2023 AU Pro Softball Defensive Player of the Year award.

Warren has also represented the United States on the international stage.

At the 2024 WBSC World Cup, she hit .444 with six RBI, earned All-World Team honors and helped Team USA capture silver.

In 2025, Warren added another achievement to an already remarkable career:

World Games Gold Medalist.

Now, she’s bringing that championship pedigree to Knoxville.

“Signing Jessi sends a message about what we want the Knoxville Miracle to become,” Snider said. “We aren’t building this simply to have a professional softball team. We want to build a championship organization. That requires people who know what championship standards actually look like.”

For Snider and Warren, the next chapter carries another layer of meaning.

They’ve already climbed to the top of college softball together.

Now they’ll have an opportunity to help establish professional softball in East Tennessee from the ground up.

“Eight years ago, we got to experience something together that none of us will ever forget,” Snider said. “Now we get the chance to build something again. Different city. Different uniform. Different chapter. But the standard doesn’t change.”

Warren joins the Miracle not simply as another name on an inaugural roster.

She joins as a champion.

A veteran.

A leader.

And living proof of what the standard looks like.

Tallahassee to Oklahoma City.

Team USA to Knoxville.

National Champion. World Champion. Professional.

Jessi Warren is a Knoxville Miracle.

About the Knoxville Miracle

The Knoxville Miracle are a professional softball organization based in Knoxville, Tennessee, committed to building a championship-level, player-first organization centered around elite competition, athlete development, community engagement and growing professional softball throughout East Tennessee.