Competitive nature keeps Craft motivated

The rivalry with her brother developed an intense competitive nature in Jessica that was tested after suffering her second injury in less than a year at Ball State in 2012. 

"[Jacob] has always been there for me and always helped me through everything," Jessica said. "I can always rely on him because if he says or does something for me, I know he means it and it's great having that."

The siblings found a sport they both loved when they began playing tee-ball together.

Jessica later played on the softball team at LaPorte High School, while her brother played baseball. She led her team to a 81-39 record with two sectional titles and a regional as the shortstop.

"Playing and competing with my brother, I felt, really sparked how competitive I would become playing softball," Jessica said.

After graduating high school together, Jacob chose to attend Anderson University to continue his baseball career.

But Jessica decided to take another route and begin her own journey. She wanted to go somewhere to make a name for herself.

She visited Ball State and felt at home with the school and the team. She knew right away it was the place for her.

"I told my dad right after the visit I wanted to go there, and he said I should take a month and look at my options," Jessica said. "I told him 'No, I've made up my mind and I'm telling them in two weeks,' and he eventually gave in."

Jessica joined the team in 2012 and became the starting shortstop for the Cardinals. She started the first 19 games of the season before suffering an injury during practice in March 2012.

On a fly ball to shallow left field, she collided with left-fielder Hannah Zimmerman diving for the ball. Both players suffered concussions, and Jessica's finger jammed into Zimmerman's cheek and fractured.

Jessica was sidelined for nearly two months and struggled with her inability to play.

"It was tough, but I feel like I learned a lot while off the field," she said. "And my teammates were so supportive and helped me the whole way through."

Her return to the field came on May 4, 2012, but in a smaller capacity. Jessica was a pinch runner for the rest of the season while wearing a cast on her hand. 

Jessica suffered another injury in October 2012 preparing for the next season, discovering she had six lumbar vertebrae rather than five. The injury was a shock to her.

"I didn't understand what was happening," Jessica said. "It was something I've never had to deal with, so it was a big blow."

She played 35 games through the injury while making a position change. Jessica made seven starts behind the plate after playing shortstop her whole life.

"I'd never played the position before but I decided mentally that I would go at it with all I got and took the position by the horns," Jessica said. "I was helped out immensely by Sadie Robertson, who was the catcher here during that time, and I learned so much from her."

In the summer of 2013, the lingering back injury required surgery, which limited her to 24 games her junior year.

Jessica said it felt like the injury might end her career behind the plate, but her competitiveness kept her on track.

"I think the hardest thing to get over with an injury is mentally—not being able to do everything you should be capable of doing and having to watch people do those things," Jessica said. "You just have to, at some point, come to the conclusion that there are some things that you won't be able to do anymore. But the things you can do, you have to go out and make them fabulous."

She received endless support from her family, coaches and teammates through recovery. She said her brother called almost every other day.

Her teammates have been there the entire way and take Jessica as inspiration. Senior Loren Cihlar said it makes them play harder by watching her do things that injury prevented.

"The team almost tries to protect [Jessica] sometimes when we see her do something that we know hurts her," Cihlar said. "We always are asking her how she is doing and checking on her, but she always just keeps going and won't stop."

As a senior, Jessica's work ethic and leadership help guide the Cardinals as they strive for a fourth straight Mid-American Conference title.

Head Coach Tyra Perry said she has never seen such drive and determination from a player, and that Jessica is a solid person all-around.

Jessica said she still feels some effects of the back injury this season but doesn't see it slowing her down. Her competitive edge that has kept her going since childhood has not lost any of its intensity. 

"I still have a lot left I want to do while I can play," she said. "And my back still has good and bad days that I fight through ... I play every game like it could be my last."

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