Offensive explosion lifts Jackets to second straight district title

MV softball team hits seven home runs in 18-1 victory over Teays Valley

Softball players in black uniforms cheer together on a dirt field near home plate.

The Mount Vernon softball team celebrates receiving the district championship trophy after beating Teays Valley, 18-1, on Monday at Olentangy.

Fred Main

Fred Main Fred Main Knox Weekly News Editor

Published May 27, 2026 - 12:49 p.m.

An effective leader can inspire, motivate and guide their team toward success.

Youth softball player slides into a base during a game with a coach nearby. — Mount Vernon senior Hailey Rudrick celebrates beating out a bunt single during the Jackets' Div. II Central District softball championship game Monday at Olentangy. The Jackets beat Teays Valley, 18-1, to capture the title.

Monday, those leadership qualities were on full display as senior Hailey Rudrick put the group of younger Yellow Jackets on her back early, sparking the Mount Vernon softball team to the Div. II Central District championship with an impressive 18-1 victory over second-seeded Teays Valley at Olentangy High School.

Rudrick smacked a two-run home run in the first inning offensively, then made a diving catch of a pop-up in short left-center field in the bottom half to shut down a Teays Valley rally and turn what was supposed to be a hotly contested game into a smackdown of epic proportions.

“I just feel like this morning I woke up feeling good. I just tried to stay locked and focused. I am a captain, so I have to lead my team. I feel like one I saw them locked, I felt pretty good as a leader. I did my job as a captain and a leader,” Rudrick said.

“(She’s) our tone setter, Hailey. Gabby (Beck) gets on, Hailey right behind her. It’s unorthodox, right, a power hitter batting in the two hole, but it’s a great spot for her,” said Mount Vernon coach Ryan Pentz. “That two hole is like a perfect fit for her and there’s plenty of power behind her. It was a tone setter for the game (her home run).”

A softball catcher tags a sliding runner at home plate during a game. — Mount Vernon's Isla Graham dives safely back into first base on a pickoff attempt by Teays Valley.

After No. 3 seed MV put up three in the first inning on Rudrick’s two-run homer and Lexi Ringwalt’s RBI single, it looked like Teays Valley might be ready for the fight. The Vikings got a single before Rudrick took the air out of their sail with her diving catch from center field. The play ended up being a double play as the TV runner was called out for leaving first base too soon. Makayla Jones followed with a home run, which only cost the Jackets one run instead of possibly tying the game.

Then, Jocelyn Scarbury smacked a three-run single in the second for MV and the rout was on.

Two more home runs – solo shots by Beck and Rudrick – pushed the Jackets lead to 8-1 in the fourth. A TV error on Isla Graham’s sacrifice bunt in the fifth led to two more runs. The Jackets turned into the Bronx Bombers in the sixth, smacking four home runs that plated eight runs and tied a state record for most HR in an inning. Lexi Ringwalt, Layla Joyner, Rudrick and Keely Pollard all hit bombs in the inning.

“I think they’ve realized they can be special. I think they now know it. We’ve had our battles this year, we’ve fought hard mentally and physically. I think moving forward they now know they are capable and they’re good enough to do it,” Pentz said of his team.

Two softball players stand on a dirt infield with an outfield wall and trees in the background. — Mount Vernon first baseman Gabby Beck, left, gets set to receive the throw from second baseman Keely Pollard during their Div. II Central District softball championship game Monday.

While the offense was rocking Vikings’ pitching, Scarbury was mowing down their hitters as well. The junior allowed just two hits and struck out five on the day.

“The change helped a lot. They were good hitters, so it kept them off-balance a lot. Having that really, really helped,” Scarbury said. “Just all my spin stuff was breaking really well. Obviously, I was in a good groove because my team was giving me lots of runs to work with so I could relax a little bit. Those first couple of innings are just a bunch of adrenaline, but they obviously got it done and helped me out.”

“It’s always nice when you have a force in the circle to come out there and keep us in ballgames. Joce threw another great ballgame today,” Pentz said.

Rudrick finished the game with a bunt single and three home runs, giving her 17 on the season. Overall, the Jackets (25-4) hit seven bombs as a team. It was an offensive explosion that rocked Teays Valley to its core.

“I’m seeing it (the ball) well. I wouldn’t hit like that if I knew my team wasn’t behind me and I knew they had my back. And Jocelyn’s keeping our defense pretty clear, so it was a good game,” Rudrick said.

Ringwalt added a double, single and three RBI to go along with her HR. Beck had an HR and two singles; Graham had three singles; Joyner smacked a home run and a single; Scarbury doubled; and Harley Styndl and Maddy Peterson both singled for MV.

The victory was the Jackets’ second straight district title, and they will face Green on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the regionals at Clear Fork.

“We know what it took last year to get us there (state finals appearance), and after last year, we’re even hungrier and want it even more. I think that’s given us a lot of energy to get through our games and getting ready for our next step,” Scarbury said.