The Pro Jordyn Rudd

A few weeks ago, Tony and I went to Peoria for a Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF) game between the USSSA Pride and the Oklahoma City Smoke. One of the main reasons and a highlight was seeing Jordyn Rudd.

Jordyn was a catcher for Northwestern. A Gold Glove winner, she was drafted by the WPF and Athletes Unlimited. She chose the WPF and joined the Pride.

I have the pleasure of watching Jordyn for her entire career with the Wildcats. I interviewed her earlier this year. That interview is at On the Beat With Jordyn Rudd.

Jordyn is a very talented player and a leader on and off the field. She was excellent from the start and developed into one of the best I have seen.

I messaged Jordyn telling her I would be at the game. She hit a home run in the game, as the Pride went on to win in extra innings. After the game, we hung by the dugout hoping to catch up with her. She was one of the first out and we talked for a few minutes.

It was great seeing this young athlete now a pro. She seems to be soaking it all in, as well she should. She worked hard for everything she has and has earned a sport on the Pride. I hope she has a long career and I hope to see her again.

I only wish the WPF had a team in Chicago. In its second season, the WPF has teams in Oklahoma City, Texas, Alabama and Florida (the Pride). Both seasons, they played a series in Peoria. Hopefully, next year they will do so again and I will be there again!

For more info on the WPF, go to WProFastpitch.com. Also, follow my recurring coverage here, on GlobalTravelerUSA.com and TheEveryDayFan.com.

Jordyn Rudd and me in Peoria, IL-July 2023.

On the Beat With Jordyn Rudd

About a week ago, the Women's Professional Fastpitch USSSA Pride selected Northwestern catcher Jordyn Rudd with the fourth pick in the sixth round. Last weekend, the Northwestern Wildcats clinched a second straight Big Ten championship. This morning, I talked to Jordyn about these two big events and a lot more. That interview is at On the Beat With Jordyn Rudd.

A native of Greenwood, Indiana, Jordyn excelled at Center Grove, before entering Northwestern. Jordyn immediately won the starting job and held it all five seasons. Proving her durability, Jordyn played and started all 231 games during her career.

During her NU career, Jordyn hit .328, with 28 home runs, 193 RBI's, 107 runs scored and a .526 slugging percentage. She also has a .995 fielding percentage, making only nine errors in her career.

Among her many awards and accolades, Jordyn won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award presented by NFCA at catcher, becoming the first ever recipient of the award. She also won the 2022 Johnny Bench Award, presented by the Hall of Fame catcher to the best female catcher in the nation. Those two achievements alone are amazing, yet Jordyn has earned many more.

Jordyn discussed all of this in our interview. She also talked about hitting home runs in batting practice. Sharon J. Drysdale Field has Welsh Ryan Arena beyond the left field wall. Jordyn discussed the possibility of hitting homers over the roof. For a slugger like Jordyn, who is second on the team in home runs with seven (Angela Zedak leads with nine), it has to be tempting to have some fun and shoot for the roof at times.

Jordyn talked about her start in softball, her gymnastics background, meeting legendary Coach Drysdale, life outside of softball and life after softball. She spoke of her happiness with being drafted by the Pride, but didn't know much else because of NCAA rules. I do know the Pride plays a series in Peoria in July and I really hope to see her behind the plate for one of the games.

With a record of 15-2, the Wildcats clinched first place in the Big Ten. They finish the regular season this weekend at Rutgers (8-12). While NU has nothing to prove, I am sure Coach Kate Drohan will take the games seriously. She might give role players a bit more playing time, but she will still go for the wins.

After the regular season, NCAA Regionals are held May 19-21, Super Regionals May 26-28 and the Women's College World Series June 1-8. Jordyn, the Wildcats and Team Purple fans are ready!

I thank Jordyn for her time and consideration. I also appreciate all the great softball memories during her career. Go to NUSports.com for more info and schedules.

Jordyn Rudd and the Northwestern Wildcats in the Women's College World Series

The Northwestern Wildcats are heading to Oklahoma for the finals in the Women's College World Series. They are one of eight teams still standing.

The No. 9 Wildcats defeated No. 8 Arizona State in the best or three series last weekend. NU won the first game in 11 innings, but lost the second game in eight. They had a big comeback win, after being down 5-0, to win the series on Sunday.

Catcher Jordyn Rudd had a fantastic series. Rudd went 9-14 (.642) with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored. In the previous weekend's Evanston Regional, Rudd went 5-9 with a double and a homer and 7 RBIs. That continues a hot season for Rudd, who hit .375.

A senior at Northwestern, Rudd has had a wonderful career. Even more important, she is a leader on and off the field and a quality person. She was even kind enough to do a promo for this site at Jordyn Rudd Shout Out.

NU returns to action today against No. 1 ranked Oklahoma. Along with Oklahoma and NU, Texas and UCLA make up this side of the bracket. It will be a challenge for the Wildcats. If they lose to Oklahoma in the first game, they will still be alive because it is a double-elimination bracket, but they would have to beat the final team twice, which would probably be Oklahoma. I'll state the obvious and write NU needs to beat Oklahoma in the game today.

Go to NUSports.com for more info. Also, check back here for my coverage.

Jordyn Rudd and me in Evanston, IL-May 2022.

Jordyn Rudd of Northwestern Sends a Shout Out

The Northwestern Wildcats Home Opener is today. The Wildcats host city rival Loyola at Sharon J. Drysdale Field at 3 PM.

When the Wildcats take the field, Jordyn Rudd will be behind home plate. The senior catcher was a workhorse last season, starting all 47 games. She also led all Big Ten catchers in batting average (.329) and hits (51), while making the Defensive All-Big Ten team.

In her career, #38 has started 130 games, hitting .315 with 13 HRs, 102 RBIs and 57 runs scored. She also sports a sparkling .992 fielding average.

Jordyn sent a shout out to me earlier this year. Thank you to Jordyn. I appreciate the support. In turn, I encourage all to check out the Wildcats at NUSports.com.

Once again, I'll be "On the Beat" all season. Check my coverage here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com, GlobalSportsNews.com and Patch.com.