No reason for disappointment as Eagles' record-setting run ends

CLAYTON -- The South Putnam softball team had a pretty solid season. They finished the year 14-8, second in the West Central Conference, and did it all while battling injuries to a number of key players.

But by the Eagles' recent standards, it was a down year. The Eagles lost to Cloverdale on Tuesday and now their season is done. They're done -- done earlier than they're used to -- but not disappointed.

"I told the seniors that this is a tough time because we want to keep going," South Putnam coach Chris Jones said. "But if they look back on their careers, they've done so many things that people in the state, in the county, have not ever done."

South Putnam's run of success makes this team something to celebrate, not lament.

This team -- and this group of five seniors (Jenna Jones, Mattie Varvel, Kelsey Whitaker, Janet Crafton and Nikki York) -- have helped the team to three county championships, three conference championships and two state titles.

"We didn't have the big success that we've had the last few years, but I wouldn't trade those girls for anything," Jones said. "They've been tremendous to work with. They're really hard workers, and they're just they're great people.

"I'll live and die with them anytime. I'm very proud of them and very happy that I can call myself their coach."

The Eagles have preached two things, coach Jones said, to never be satisfied and to be a family.

The team this year, and for the past few years, has maximized both.

Several of the players on this year's team, including Jenna Jones (Miami University) and Varvel (Hanover) have worked hard enough to continue their careers after high school.

All of the players have worked at being a family.

"They truly are a family," coach Jones said. "And it started five years ago. They bought in and they ran with it. ... They all sacrifice for each other. They are the closest group of seniors that we've had. They epitomize family. They're the reason."

The Eagles have had an amazingly close-knit team for the past few season, but the class of 2013 stands apart.

Each player had a key role -- on the field, in the dugout, on the bus, during practice and in the summer -- and each played her role perfectly.

Nikki York:

"Nikki York really stepped up this year and played first base when we needed her to," coach Jones said. "She hadn't played there until this year, and she really stepped up for us and got some big hits in different games."

Janet Crafton:

"Janet Crafton has been our centerfielder since she was a freshman," coach Jones said. "She's a great person to have out in the middle of the outfield. She gives us a leadership role out there and she's just a genuinely great girl. She works hard. She may not have hit as well as she wanted to this year, but kept working and made some great plays."

Kelsey Whitaker:

"Tonight was the epitome of Kelsey," he said. "She's a very hard worker who will do anything you want her to do. Even if we ask her to step in and pitch, she'll step in and pitch. She'll do all the little things. Kelsey is hard-nosed. She got hit I don't know how many times this year and in her career and she just takes it in stride and keeps going."

Mattie Varvel:

"I believe she is one of the best first basemen in the state, but she had to pitch for us," he said. "And she had to play left field. And she had to play third base. She played literally wherever we wanted her to -- needed her to. I'd take a lot of girls like her on a team to fill up nine spots."

Jenna Jones:

"She's our vocal leader," coach Jones said. "She's kind of our heart and soul. She's going to give you all she's got, all the time. Even if she's nicked up or not feeling the best, she's going to give you everything she can. If she's got to lay a bunt down, she'll put it down. If she's got to hit a double to move a runner, she'll do that."

South Putnam will start next season with a whole new ballclub. Nearly every starter from last year's championship team will be gone.

Of the starters returning from this year -- catcher Kenzie Trisler, second baseman Brooke Cundiff and right fielder Katie McHugh -- only Trisler has been a star.

But even without returning players (the Eagles also have no JV team), the team will find a way to be successful. Jones, assistant coach Lindsay Blackman and the players have put together a system that works.

Whoever comes to play next year, the SPHS family will embrace them, shape them, and turn them into Eagles.