When it comes to the art of putting the ball in play with runners on base, South Creek’s Kim Mobley has been as masterful as Picasso.
With a near. 500 batting average this season, the Cougars cleanup hitter has been a main artery in the heart of the order and a big reason why South Creek has dreams of Walnut Creek pumping through its veins.
“When you have Kim up there with runners in scoring position she’s always a threat,” South Creek coach Patrick Herring said. “She’s a nice bat for us to have at that four spot. She’s always going to put the ball in play. She’s has three (over-the-fence) home runs this season but she knows she doesn’t have to do that. When she’s up there she does a great job of advancing the runners.”
The South Creek senior catcher has been equally impressive behind the plate as she is in the batter’s box. The Cougars longtime starting catcher is routinely asked to handle two or three different pitchers a week, and some times in the same game, and has created a comfortable repertoire with each despite their varying styles. Equipped with a gamer’s mentality, Mobley fits the mold of great classic catchers and brings an undeniable enthusiasm to the ballpark.
“I love playing catcher,” Mobley said. “I’ve been playing softball since I was about eight and have been catching since I was nine or 10. I like it because you have to be mentally tough and physically tough to play that position. Not everybody can handle the pressure behind the plate, you have to be a leader.”
Herring said Mobley, who is being recruited by Campbell, N.C. Wesleyan and Elon to name a few, is the total package.
“You can’t ask for a better catcher behind the plate,” Herring said. “She’s very smart and has a strong arm on her. She makes it tough to steal. A lot of times she’s able to hold runners close to the bag.”
Mobley not only defends the base paths with rocket arm, but she offers a good target for the team’s hurlers and excels at the art of framing pitches.
“She does a real good job behind the plate of not popping up after the ball comes across the plate,” Herring said. “That’s one of the things the umpires usually pick up on. Even if it’s a strike, if they pop up and they’re not framing they’re going to call it a ball. Kim does a great job of helping out our pitchers.”