Starting off strong
South Central's Isabel Moore dominated pitchers in the 2017-18 season, earning her Pitcher of the Year honors
By Jake Keator
The Daily Reflcetor
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Those that watched South Central’s Isabel Moore pitch in the 2017-18 season wouldn't think that she was only a freshman.
Moore bested batters for a 2.39 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 155 innings pitched in 2017, showing opponents and fans that her play will very likely only improve as she gains more experience.
“It was really fun playing with the girls (this season). I was nervous at first, and I didn’t know what to expect, but it was a really fun season,” said Moore, The Daily Reflector’s Pitcher of the Year.
In such a short time, Moore has already seen improvements in her game, and she said that she has improved her pitches and now makes better choices as to how to attack batters.
For as serious as she may look while she’s in the pitching circle, Moore is out to have fun. When things may not go according to plan, she has relied on teammate Cam Davis for a laugh.
“She’s trying to get me to laugh,” Moore said of Davis. “She makes a joke and tells me it’s alright. She is telling us to get it together, but also saying funny things to make me laugh.”
With the shock factor of her arrival now gone and opponents having an idea as to how best to figure out her pitching, Moore is already back to work learning how to add another tool to her arsenal.
“I’ll be working on my changeup. I’ll be working to keep the batters off-balance,” Moore said.
Softball is a game based somewhat on routine and superstition. Players have habits or repetitive things they believe help them succeed. Moore has her own routine at the mound. She moves dirt into a way she feels comfortable, which serves as a way to calm her while on the mound.
“It’s something I’ve always done, even when I was little,” she said. “I just fix the dirt however I like it, because at first I didn't like to take all the time on the mound and I would just rush into it. Everybody just told me to slow down. That just helped me focus working on the mound some to make it how I like it.”
