MOUNT VERNON — About half a second, that is how long a batter has to decide to swing in girls softball. To swing or not to swing, that is the question.
Mount Vernon has two girls softball players who have answered that question successfully more than 100 times each in their careers.
Senior Carly Kennedy and junior Hailey Ruderick have each eclipsed the century mark with games and at-bat opportunities still in front of them.
How difficult is it to record a single it in girl’s fastpitch softball, let alone 100? The pitcher’s rubber is 43 feet from home plate and pitches can reach 60 plus miles an hour.
In Major league baseball that distance is 60 feet six inches, which is equivalent to 90 miles an hour in fastpitch softball.
Coach Ryan Pentz estimates that the speed may be higher, “Game speed, we are probably sitting at around 65 (mph).”
Pentz, in his sixth year at Mount Vernon, credits his duo with being team leaders.
“Both Hailey and Carly play a huge role in this team offensively and defensively,” Pentz said. “Hailey can change a game with one swing of the bat, she has power to all sides of the field.
“Carly is a player that puts stress on the opposing team’s defense. Her speed is always a threat and a challenge for the defense. They bat back-to-back in the line-up and complement each other very well.”
The coach pointed out that they are team leaders in power and average.
“At this point in the season Carley is leading us in batting average and Hailey is leading the team in home runs,” he said.
Kennedy likes to keep the other team’s defense off balance.
“My game is really bunting and that helps a lot and then with some hits in-between,” Kennedy said. “There is really nothing special — just keep your eye on the ball.”
Just over two weeks ago, Watkins Memorial handed the Mount Vernon softball team only its second loss of the season.
Ruderick, the Yellow Jacket catcher, had no intention of letting history repeat itself on Monday evening.
The Jackets bested the Warriors 10-0 winning by the Mercy Rule. That victory was aided in no small part due to Ruderick’s three-run blast over the centerfield fence.
“They’ve always had it out for us and we always seem to come up a run short so I feel that we were due for this one,” she said.
“I have a timing problem so that has been my focus.”
However, she found her timing in inning number three depositing the ball beyond the centerfield fence.
“I thought it was going to be short, but my team let me know it was out.”
She also believes that being the catcher helps her hitting, she calls of the pitches, speeds and locations.
The win brings the Jacket record to 15-2 so far on the season.
Kennedy is committed to Muskingum College while Ruderick has signed with the University of Indianapolis.