As important as statistics are in softball, it is also like any other sport in that it’s often when those statistics are put up that is even more important than the numbers themselves.
Need proof? Just look at Alysha Rudnik’s high school career.
The Buford catcher has been a huge part in the Wolves’ three straight Class AA state championship teams.
And she saved her best for last, which goes beyond the numbers — a .474 batting average, Gwinnett-best totals of 7 home runs and 37 RBIs, a 10 doubles, 34 runs scored and a 1.384 on-base plus slugging (OPS) percentage — that has made her the 2009 Daily Post Player of the Year.
Her solo home run in the top of the first of this year’s state title game against Rockmart did more than just give the Wolves (25-5) an early 1-0 lead en route to the title.
It came just minutes after Buford had lost its first game at the double-elimination state tournament in three straight trips to Columbus, and erased any doubts that may have lingered in the Wolves’ minds that they could finish off the three-peat.
“That home run was an amazing shot in the arm for us,” said Buford coach Tony Wolfe. “Momentum had seemed to carry over (from the opening loss to Rockmart). And I thought it was so fitting that it was (Rudnik). She’s been a leader (throughout her career).”
It wasn’t the first time Rudnik had come up big for her team in a key state tournament setting.
One year earlier, she did it with her arm, picking off the potential tying run in the bottom of the ninth to help Buford preserve a 1-0 victory over Calhoun in the winner’s bracket final.
The Wolves eventually went on to beat Calhoun in extra innings again — with help from a key RBI hit from Rudnik — the next day.
“I’ve been in ... pressure situations before,” Rudnik said. “One thing Coach Wolfe is big on is having poise. You just focus on what you need to do.
“I have to say that whole (championship in this year’s state tournament) was the highlight of my (high school) career. We worked so hard for it. We weren’t expecting to lose that (first) game, so when we lost, we had to dig down a little deeper and four ourselves.”
The title marked the end of a storied career for Rudnik, who was a four-year starter for the Wolves and was made the Daily Posts all-county first-team three of those seasons.
“That goes to her incredible athletic ability,” Wolfe said. “She’s a playmaker, and she loves the big moments. She’s not afraid to make a play. One way or another, she’s going to make an impact.”
She hopes to continue to make an impact at the next level as she will take her talents to Georgia Tech next year, joining a Yellow Jackets program on the rise after making an NCAA Super Regional last spring.
“I hope so,” Rudnik said of making an immediate mark at Tech. “I’ve talked (Jackets coach Sharon Perkins and her staff) about playing third base because they don’t have a regular third baseman right now. I played there (two) years ago, and I played there some this summer. So, I can do it.”