Roncalli senior Keagan Rothrock delivers a pitch during last week’s semistate game against Pendleton Heights.
Daily Journal file photo
Approach Keagan Rothrock’s career at Roncalli from any angle you wish, and the numbers are staggering.
Seventy-seven victories, 1,063 strikeouts, a microscopically small earned-run average and, perhaps most impressive, nearly 20 strikeouts for every walk she’s issued over the past three seasons.
Take your pick.
Those accomplishments put the Whiteland resident in rarified air along with some of the best to ever play the sport in Indiana – perhaps at the top of the list.
However, the only number the senior right-hander is pursuing right now is three.
A Rothrock-like performance this evening against fifth-ranked Penn, and the Royals will be on course for a third consecutive Class 4A state championship.
“It’s very bittersweet knowing it’s my last high school game because I’ve had four wonderful years at Roncalli,” said Rothrock, who walks to the pitcher’s mound at Purdue’s Bittinger Stadium with a career record of 77-3.
“The upcoming game will probably be my favorite game of my high school career. It’s a last chance to prove that I’ve earned the things that I’ve earned.
Now imagine Rothrock’s career statistics had there actually been a 2020 softball season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rothrock, who first gained attention by verbally committing to play softball at the University of Florida as a seventh-grader, never experienced a freshman season.
Regarding that verbal commitment, not once has Rothrock second-guessed the decision she made public on Dec. 16, 2017.
“There honestly hasn’t been any wavering,” Rothrock said. “It’s always been my dream school. I started my travel softball career with the Indiana Gators.”
And, come August, she’ll be a Florida Gator. Rothrock, owner of a 4.09 grade-point average at Roncalli, is leaning toward pursuing a future in sports psychology.
Rothrock broke onto the high school scene during the 2021 season, leading Roncalli to the 4A title with a 24-2 record, a barely visible 0.13 ERA and 364 strikeouts in 160 1/3 innings pitched.
Despite setting such a high bar early, Rothrock has posted similar numbers the past two seasons. She was named Gatorade’s National Player of the Year following the 2022 campaign.
“One of the biggest keys for me is just knowing there’s always room for improvement,” Rothrock said. “I know I’m not the only one who wants to be great.”
Rothrock has been diagnosed with compartment syndrome, an ailment where muscles grow faster than the fascia tissue surrounding them. She underwent surgery on Jan. 13 to lessen the pressure in her right leg — and then again three weeks later in her left leg. Rothrock was medically cleared to play not long before the start of the 2023 season.
Going into tonight’s 4A finale, Roncalli has a record of 95-5-1 over the past three seasons.
In her last outing, the Royals’ 8-0 victory over Pendleton Heights in the championship game of the Center Grove semistate, Rothrock threw a no-hitter while striking out 13.
Also the Royals’ cleanup hitter, she’s batting .500 this season with eight home runs and 11 doubles.
Roncalli coach David Lauck, now in his 15th season, has had both a dugout and third base coach’s view of a three-year high school softball run like no other in Indiana.
The fitting adjective might not be easy to grasp when describing a talent like Rothrock, but Lauck does his best.
“Keagan was a really quiet kid when I first met her. Now, she’s the team jokester, the team prankster,” Lauck said. “Personally, I feel what’s been best about it is how she’s been able to remain humble.
“It has been just an incredible run for her. The memories, and the experiences she’s created for herself, her family and her school and community, you talk about legendary.”
