MOUNT VERNON – Ohio Cardinal Conference softball coaches can breathe a little easier.
They won’t have to deal with Hailey Rudrick for the next two years.
North Central Ohio Player of the Year, Rudrick will terrorize the Licking County League during her final two high school seasons when the Yellow Jackets become full-time members of the LCL beginning in the fall.
As it was, the sophomore threatened OCC this spring.
He hit .473 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles and 41 RBIs. She was selected OCC Player of the Year after earning second-team All-OCC honors as a freshman.
Rudrick anchors an All-North Central Ohio lineup that includes six All-Ohioans. Here’s a look at the best players in the area:
Receiver
Hailey Rudrick, Mount Vernon: Rudrick, just a sophomore, helped the Yellow Jackets finish second in the OCC title race. She was a Division I All-Ohio second team selection.
First base
PJ Endicott, Crestview: Endicott, a junior, hit .519 with 13 doubles, eight home runs and 37 RBIs. Endicott was a first-team All-Firelands Conference selection and first-team All-Northwest District Division III selection.
Second base
Jillian Morr, Lexington: The leadoff hitter was Lady Lex’s catcher, but her speed translates to the middle infield. Morr hit .490 and scored 42 runs as Lexington reached the Elite Eight. She was selected to the Ohio Cardinal Conference first team and to the Northwest District first team in Division II.
Third base
Kylie Galownia, Lexington: Galownia, a senior slugger, batted .516 and scored 24 runs and scored 38. She was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first-tea selection and a member of the Division II All-Ohio second team.
short field
Mallary Gundrum, Shelby: The senior missed her entire junior year due to a torn ACL, but returned to claim the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year award. Gundrum hit .549 with 10 doubles, five triples and seven home runs. She drove in 50 runs, earning a spot on the Division II All-Ohio honorable mention list.
Utility
Heidi Earl, Mapleton: Earl, the Firelands Conference Player of the Year, hit .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.
Gardens
Jordyn Fickes, Hillsdale: The future is bright for Fickes, the only freshman on the All-North Central Ohio team. He batted .549 with 33 RBI and 43 runs. The Wayne County Athletic League first team hit eight home runs, eight doubles and a pair of triples. Fickes was an honorable mention All-Ohio selection 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 hit .512 with 25 RBIs and scored 44 runs. Blubaugh was a first-team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference selection and first-team All-Northwest District selection in Division II.
Kyleigh Reiter, Madison: Reiter, a senior, hit .560 with 34 RBIs. She was a first-team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference selection and a Division I Northwest District honorable mention.
Payton Van Sickle, Loudonville: VanSickle, a senior, was selected Mid-Buckeye Conference Player of the Year. He hit .536 with 12 doubles, three triples and three home runs and drove in 38 runs.
Designated hitter
Bella Dalton, Hillsdale: Dalton, a senior, was selected as the Wayne County Athletic League Most Valuable Player after leading the Falcons to another conference title. He batted .415 with six home runs, eight doubles and 30 RBIs. Dalton was an honorable mention All-Ohio selection in Division III.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.