Sophomore pitcher buoys Butler in '09
By Mike Kilroy
Eagle Staff Writer
HAMPTON TWP —
What's the slingshot?
"I can't tell you," Reddick said about the secret pitch, which she
brings out only for special occasions.
It is shrouded in as much mystery as Daisuke Matsuzaka's gyroball and Rip
Sewell's eephus.
"I've thrown it before, but I didn't throw it today," Reddick said
after a 3-2 win over Kiski —
Hitters don't like it much either — or any of her other offerings.
"Erica (Thrower) is my catcher and she calls all the pitches,"
Reddick said. "I just try to hit my spots the best I can. She does a great
job calling the game."
There is a lot to like about Reddick's pitching these days. Only a sophomore,
Reddick has quickly developed into a bona fide ace.
After struggling with her control as a freshman, Reddick has ironed out those
kinks, thanks to practice, practice, practice.
"All the pitching and catching we did before the season really helped
me," Reddick said. "The coaches just drilled me and drilled me and
that's pretty much why."
Reddick got plenty of other practice playing for four teams last summer and
threw a lot of pitches.
"I never get tired of it," Reddick said. "Softball is my
life."
And it has been a pretty good one recently.
Reddick has thrown 93X\c innings, has struck out 61, walked 23 and given up 80
hits.
Her ERA is 1.49.
"She remains calm and she never gets rattled," said Butler coach Lori
Kline. "She's able to perform in pressure situations. She's very strong
and very confident."
And she's a double threat.
Reddick rarely batted last season. This year, she leads the team with a .444
average and three triples while hitting in the No. 3 spot.
"I was in a big slump last year, and now I'm the third batter.,"
Reddick said. "It's just like, 'Wow. I'm on the varsity team pitching and
batting.'"