Success this season was measured by more than wins and losses for Hutchinson’s Jaden Durant. It was about proving that her team could compete with anyone on the field and learning how to battle together for every inning.

“My primary focus was to make this year better than the rest because we got so close to beating really good teams,” Durant said. “I wanted to prove that we could compete, not only to the outside world but to ourselves.”

That mentality became part of the identity Durant helped create for her team throughout the season. She said one of her biggest goals was making sure her team competed from the first pitch to the last out.

“The main thing I wanted to accomplish was to compete for all 14 innings and I would like to say we did that very often,” she said.

While Durant worked hard to improve her own game, she believes one of her greatest strengths comes from the energy and encouragement she brings to the dugout.

“I would say my biggest strength is how encouraging I am,” Durant said. “No matter the circumstances, my voice will always be heard.”

Durant said she tries to keep her teammates focused on positivity, even during difficult moments in games. Whether the team is winning or trailing, she makes it a priority to celebrate small victories and keep spirits high.

“Say someone had a great hit in a game that wasn’t going in our favor, I am the first person to cheer them on and probably the loudest,” she said. “Many of my teammates have learned to listen to my voice during the game and that made me feel very good about the way I encourage the team.”

Durant also made major strides in her own development this season. She identified hitting and improving her reads in the outfield as two key areas she wanted to strengthen after struggling offensively at times the previous year.

“My hitting hasn’t been the strongest and my goals as a hitter are to become a runner if no one was on and move the runner,” Durant said.

During the offseason, she dedicated extra time to improving alongside her club coaches, focusing on making stronger contact while also learning situational hitting techniques.

“In the offseason, I worked a ton with my club coaches on hitting harder but also learning how to hit behind runners and place the ball better,” she said. “During this time, I gained more confidence which also helped me prepare for the upcoming season.”

The work paid off. Durant finished the season with a .318 batting average, a .383 on-base percentage and a .914 fielding percentage.

Although the season ended earlier than the team hoped, Durant still considers the year a success because of the growth the team showed together.

“Even though our season ended short, I would say our season was successful because we played together as a team,” Durant said. “We fought every inning and proved to ourselves we can hang with any team as long as we played for each other.”