By Danielle Redmond
Pine Whispers
As Kristen Evans steps up to bat, the Demons cheer her on with song from the Reynolds dugout.
“Kristen, baby, ah ooo, you look so good to me, ah ooo, the world’s greatest, ah ooo, so hit that ball for meeee.”
The song ends, but not the cheers, as Evans swings her bat and makes her way to second base.
Evans’ love of softball began when she participated in the South Little League ten years ago while her younger brother was on the next field over playing T-ball. Although the sports she had previously tried were less up her alley, softball was the first sport at which Evans excelled.
“I was just a tag-along to my brother’s T-ball practices when I saw girls on the other fields playing softball,” Evans said.
Since her first time at bat when she was 8, Evans has grown stronger mentally, physically and as a leader. The senior has been a member of the Reynolds varsity softball team since freshman year and has served as captain for the past two seasons.
“My favorite aspect of playing softball is that I get to work as part of a team, but I also have my own time to shine when I’m up to bat,” Evans said. “It’s like having the best aspects of playing a team sport mixed with the best aspects of playing an individual sport, all in one.”
During her time as a Demon, Evans has seen many fluctuations in the program. Having worked with three different head coaches throughout her four-year high school career, Evans has adjusted and readjusted to the quickly changing team.
“With the coaching adjustments we’ve seen, I’ve made it my mission to focus on my personal development as a player,” Evans said. “Because I can’t rely on a consistent team identity, I build on my identity as a player and contribute what I have to whatever team is fielded.”
Fellow senior Hannah Tennyson said Evans’ effort has been a great example to all the Demons.
“Throughout the four years that I’ve played with her, Kristen has continually put all her effort in getting better,” Tennyson said. “Every time she’s up to bat, it is 100-percent effort to build on her talent, get on base and help her teammates.
“I remember when we were both just starting out as high-school level players,” Tennyson added. “Kristen and I have built on each other’s abilities since then and now we are both that much better on and off the field because of the other.”
Younger players look up to Evans’ commitment to the team: “I’ve played with Kristen since I was 8 years old (on rec teams),” said sophomore Elizabeth Meinberg, now a teammate of Evans on the Demon infield. “She has always been the teammate that rallies the troops and keeps the other girls in high spirits.”
Freshman Paige Boone also praised Evans for her help away from the diamond.
“Kristen is not only a source of guidance during games and practices, but she has been there for me outside of softball,” Boone said. “When I was registering for classes last year, she gave me the inside scoop on what classes to take and helped to make my high school transition that much more manageable.”
Rather than recall the nice hits and great plays at first base Evans has made, Demons coach Odie Skidmore reflected on his senior’s attitude.
“It is Kristen’s smile that has the most impact on this team,” Skidmore said. “Her attitude is always positive. She is able to turn off the outside world and her own problems when it is time for softball, and that makes a world of difference for the team morale.”
When Evans steps off the diamond, she is involved in several aspects of the community. As president of Teens 4 Change at Reynolds, president of the Winston-Salem chapter of Jack and Jill of America, which focuses on making a positive impact in the lives of African-American children, and a member of the Trinity Center Teen Leadership Board, Evans has channeled her leadership abilities from softball to her peers by spreading the word on the dangers of issues such as teenage pregnancy, abusive relationships and teen suicide.
“Even more fulfilling than the individual accomplishments that come when I play softball is the impact I can have on someone’s life simply by taking the time to care about their problems and being a source of constructive advice,” Evans said.