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Durant's Emotional Leader Puts Team First

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 8, 2008

Updated: 05/08/2008 02:55 am

PLANT CITY - After four years as a varsity starter on the Durant softball team, senior catcher Kristen Jones hadn't missed a high school game. Not one.

She took pride in being a team player and sacrificing herself for the betterment of the program.

Unfortunately, that streak was broken midway through this season when a fever, reaching the 100s, kept her from traveling with the team to a tournament. Jones said she would have played through it.

"My mom is cautious," she said.

But Mom knew better. The fever was so severe, Jones needed to see a doctor.

Since then, the Augusta State signee didn't want to miss another game. During the region quarterfinals against Gaither, however, she sprained her ankle while trying to slide into second base. She needed to be carried off the field and did not return. But that wouldn't stop Jones from supporting her team in what has become one of the school's most historic sports seasons. Two days later, she was playing in the region semifinals against Countryside.

"I have to be on the field," Jones said. "I want to play no matter what. Maybe if I had a broken leg."

Durant will play Palm Beach Gardens in the Class 6A state semifinals at Plant City Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. It is the farthest the program has been since 2002.

Jones said the injury still gives her problems. On a scale of one to 10, she said it's a five.

"I push myself as far as I can go," Jones said. "I'm proud of the fact I can still work through this."

Still, this is when her teammates need her most. This is where players like Jones shine.

"She's not going to whine or complain," said senior pitcher Sara DeMuth, who like Jones, has signed with Augusta State. "She's very competitive. She'll give you 100 percent. Even though she's hurt now, she's going to give it all she has."

"She's always been there," Durant coach Matt Carter said. "Against Gaither she was on the bench with ice, still talking and still cheering. I always want a senior to be the captain and I would say she's the vocal leader."

Her commitment to the game has inspired the younger players on the team.

"You see that even with the aches and pains, it makes you realize you put the team first," junior infielder Erika Wetherington said. "She's proved that to us. She's set an example for us."

Jones has batted .419 this season and leads the team in hits (39) and RBIs (29). She also has 10 doubles, three home runs and holds a .994 fielding percentage. In Durant's 3-1 win against Winter Garden West Orange in the region final, she hit an RBI single.

"Hitting is contagious and she gets us started," Wetherington said.

As it seems, so is Jones' passion on the field.

"There's no way I'm going to miss this," Jones said.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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