MOUNT VERNON — The Ohio Cardinal Conference’s softball coaches can breath a little easier.
They won’t have to deal with Hailey Rudrick for the next two years.
The North Central Ohio Player of the Year, Rudrick will terrorize the Licking County League for her final two high school seasons when the Yellow Jackets become a full-time LCL member starting in the fall.
As it was, the sophomore menaced the OCC this spring.
She batted .473 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles and 41 runs batted in. She was selected the OCC’s Player of the Year after earning All-OCC second-team honors as a freshman.
Rudrick is the anchor of an All-North Central Ohio lineup that includes six All-Ohioans. Here’s a look at the area’s top players:
Catcher
Hailey Rudrick, Mount Vernon: Just a sophomore, Rudrick helped the Yellow Jackets to a runner-up finish in the OCC title chase. She was a Division I All-Ohio second-team selection.
First Base
P.J. Endicott, Crestview: A junior, Endicott batted .519 with 13 doubles, eight homers and 37 runs batted in. Endicott was a Firelands Conference first-team pick and a Northwest District first-teamer in Division III.
Second Base
Jillian Morr, Lexington: The senior leadoff hitter was Lady Lex’s catcher, but her speed translates to the middle of the infield. Morr batted .490 and scored 42 runs as Lexington reached the Elite Eight. She was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first-team selection and a Northwest District first-teamer in Division II.
Third Base
Kylie Galownia, Lexington: A senior slugger, Galownia batted .516 and knocked in 24 runs while scoring 38. She was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first-tea pick and a member of the Division II All-Ohio second team.
Shortstop
Mallary Gundrum, Shelby: The senior lost her entire junior year to a torn ACL, but returned to claim the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year award. Gundrum batted .549 with 10 doubles, five triples and seven homers. She drove in 50 runs, earning a spot on the Division II All-Ohio honorable mention list.
Utility
Heidi Earl, Mapleton: The Firelands Conference Player of the Year, Earl batted .567 with eight home runs, 10 doubles and 5 RBIs. The Ursuline College-bound senior was an All-Ohio honorable-mention selection in Division III.
Outfield
Jordyn Fickes, Hillsdale: The future is bright for Fickes, the only freshman on the All-North Central Ohio team. She batted .549 with 33 RBIs and 43 runs. The Wayne County Athletic League first-teamer belted eight home runs, eight doubles and a pair of triples. Fickes was an All-Ohio honorable-mention pick in Division III.
Melodie Blubaugh, Clear Fork: The Colts’ regular third baseman, Blubaugh has the kind of speed that translates to the outfield. The junior batted .512 with 25 RBIs while scoring 44 runs. Blubaugh was a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference first-team pick and an All-Northwest District first-teamer in Division II.
Kyleigh Reiter, Madison: A senior, Reiter batted .560 with 34 RBIs. She was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first-team selection and a Division I All-Northwest District honorable-mention pick.
Payton VanSickle, Loudonville: A senior, VanSickle was selected the Mid-Buckeye Conference Player of the Year. She batted .536 with 12 doubles, three triples and three homers and drove in 38 runs.
Designated Hitter
Belle Dalton, Hillsdale: A senior, Dalton was selected the Wayne County Athletic League Most Valuable Player after leading the Falcons to another conference title. She batted .415 with six home runs, eight doubles and 30 RBIs. Dalton was an All-Ohio honorable-mention pick in Division III.