Jalen Adams pitches against LSU in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

SALT LAKE CITY — It didn’t take long for Jalen Adams to answer the call — or the question.

The Fort Dodge Senior High graduate was sitting at home recently when her phone rang. On the other end was Utah Talons general manager and softball legend Lisa Fernandez, asking if Adams would like to make her professional debut in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.

“I was just at home hanging out with the family and then I got the call,” Adams said. “I immediately agreed.

“They flew me out to Salt Lake City the next day,” Adams said. “I think I was smiling the entire way there.”

The Talons will face the Bandits on Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN2.

After pitching three years for the Iowa softball team, Adams just completed her senior season as Wildcat in Arizona.

In one season at Arizona, she went 21-10 with a 3.60 ERA and 62 strikeouts.

She was selected as an All-Big 12 second team pitcher, as well as to the NFCA All-West second team.

Now the Fort Dodge state champion will step it up a level.

“These pro players have so much experience and talent,” Adams said. “I am just so excited to take the whole experience in and learn as much as I can.”

The second call for Adams was to call her parents. Her mother Andi Adams was on road trip with the third ranked Dodgers, when one of her players took the call.

“She said it was an emergency and my heart just dropped,” Andi said. “Then when she told me about the call — someone who doesn’t cry a lot — burst into tears.

“I’m so happy for her.”

Jalen is excited for the next step with her family by her side.

“My parents were very happy for me and I am just so blessed that they have always been there for me through my softball journey,” Jalen said. “Overall I am just very excited to be a part of such an elite level of softball and am going to be prepared for an opportunity that I am given.”