Throughout her youth softball career, Kayla Drury had played just about every defensive position on the diamond. Every position, that is, except pitcher and first base.

So when Stetson head coach Frank Griffin asked Drury after her freshman year to trade her second baseman's glove for a first baseman's mitt, Drury was naturally a little apprehensive.

However, her team-first attitude made the decision an easy one.

"If coach wanted me over there, then of course that's where I was going to go," Drury said. "It was definitely intimidating, considering first is involved in almost every play on the infield. It was going to be a big transition."

Drury worked hard at learning the new position, and now nearly two years later, the Hatter junior plays first base like she has been there her whole life.

"I am definitely much more comfortable now," Drury said. "I love it."

Comfortable, indeed. Through the first 29 games this season, Drury has not made an error in 192 chances, tops among Atlantic Sun players with a 1.000 fielding percentage. In fact, Drury has played 54 consecutive errorless games at first base, dating back over a year to last March 29.

"She is doing an outstanding job at first base," Griffin said. "She would do well anywhere you put her. She is a solid athlete. In fact, they all are. This is a very athletic team."

Griffin said Drury's skills as a middle infielder have translated well into her role at first base.

"I like having quick corners," Griffin said. "Most teams tend to have players there that maybe swing the bat well but don't have a lot of range. Those little bloopers that get hit in foul territory behind first base, you need someone to go back there and get them. Kayla does that very well. She also dives for balls and makes great catches. She is also really quick on bunts and makes good throws."

Drury says being a part of a veteran infield makes her job as a first baseman a lot easier.

"This is the second year we have all been in the same position, and I think it has shown," Drury said. "We are very in sync with one another and I don't ever have to worry about getting back in time or making sure they are going to make a good throw. I know that if it is hit to them, I have nothing to worry about."

Stetson's strong infield play has helped anchor the NCAA's top-ranked defense. The Hatters own a .983 fielding percentage, tops in the nation and one point ahead of Georgia State (.982) entering this weekend's games.

Winners of five in a row, Stetson (22-7, 5-1 A-Sun) will host Kennesaw State (23-13, 4-5) for a three-game conference series this weekend at Patricia Wilson Field.  The teams will play a doubleheader at noon on Friday and a single game at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Stetson is coming off a weekend sweep over FGCU in a series where the Hatters outscored the Eagles 24-5.  Stetson hit four home runs last weekend including a grand slam off the bat of Jessica Griffin.  The Hatters have now hit 34 long balls this year.

The Owls, meanwhile, have won four of their last six conference games, including a come-from-behind 9-8 win over Jacksonville this past Sunday.  Natalie Rhodes leads the team with a .388 batting average.

KSU leads the all-time series 12-11 over Stetson, but the Hatters have won seven of the 10 meetings played at Patricia Wilson Field.

Tickets start at just $5.00 for general admission and can be purchased online or at the Patricia Wilson Field ticket window. All Stetson students, faculty, and staff are admitted free with a valid ID.

All three games will be broadcast live on HatterVision on a subscription basis. Ryan Rouse will call the action on Friday. Live stats, the Stetson softball twitter feed, and HatCheck text messages will provide in-game updates as well.