Ryan Jones’ Determined Return Boosts St. Rita’s Playoff Aspirations

Ryan Jones faced a challenging situation when he needed surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his right wrist shortly before playoffs. While many assumed St. Rita would be without their junior infielder and pitcher for the remainder of the postseason, Jones had different plans.

Initially, Jones aimed to return only if the Mustangs advanced to the state level. Remarkably, he managed to rejoin the team earlier, playing a pivotal role in ensuring their advancement. “It feels great,” Jones expressed. “Ever since my surgery, I’ve been eager to return and contribute to the team in any way possible. It’s awesome to be back.”

Jones made his comeback during the Class 3A Crestwood Supersectional on Monday. He successfully reached base three times in St. Rita’s 2-0 victory over Nazareth, securing a single and earning two walks.

The Mustangs, holding a 28-12 record, are preparing to face East Peoria (27-13) at 10 a.m. Friday in the state semifinal at Slammers Stadium in Joliet. St. Rita coach John Nee had hoped for Jones’ return if the Mustangs reached state, but his earlier appearance was unforeseen.

“He texted me Saturday afternoon and said, ‘Coach, are you going to be at St. Rita on Sunday?'” Coach Nee recounted. “When I asked why, he mentioned, ‘I think I can take some swings.’ He was determined.”

Despite having stitches in, Jones was eager to rejoin his teammates. “I’d like to credit my team for motivating me to push through adversity and be my best,” Jones said.

Jones has been a crucial player for St. Rita, boasting a team-leading .473 batting average and ranking third in RBIs with 33. His performance includes 24 runs and eight doubles. Additionally, he has contributed as a pitcher, going 2-0 with a 2.80 ERA over 10 appearances.

Jones hit in the cleanup spot on Monday, much to the approval of his teammates, including Julio Gutierrez, who has also excelled in the playoffs. Gutierrez expressed, “Ryan’s back. It’s great to have him. His presence strengthens our lineup.”

Overcoming the frustration of his injury, Jones reflected, “Practicing while limited by my injury was tough, but it was rewarding being with the guys.”

Embracing the challenge of a high-stakes game, Jones was well aware of the risks. “There was concern about my performance, but the excitement of playing in front of a big crowd was greater,” he admitted.

With this victory, the Mustangs have secured their fifth state trophy, the first since 2019. They are two wins away from their inaugural state championship.

“I sensed potential in our team early on,” Jones said. “We’ve got a shot; we just need to maintain our strong batting and pitching.”