If opposing pitchers felt the urge to run for cover any time Jon Rutt stepped into the left-handers batter’s box this season, Bob Blackman can relate.

“It was the type of year for him that even in batting practice you feared him,” said the St. Dom’s coach. “You had to keep your head behind the (pitcher’s) screen, or he might send one back up the middle and tear your head off.”

Rutt tore the cover off the baseball this season while helping to lead St. Dom’s to its first Class C state baseball championship in school history. The senior lefty hit .565 and slugged .920, with 32 hits, 24 runs, 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 20 RBIs. He also played a vital role as the Saint’s No. 2 starter, going 4-0, including a gutsy win over Jay in the Western Class C playoffs. He tossed two complete games and posted a 1.38 ERA, with 38 K’s in 25 1/3 innings.

But it was at the plate, where he was already a feared hitter coming off an outstanding junior season, that Rutt made the most noise.

“Offensively, he was just a complete ballplayer,” Blackman said. “He hit in the clutch, and he hit everything hard. It was unusual to see him hit anything soft. The biggest difference this year was he hit the ball where it was pitched. He didn’t look to yank everything. Last year, he got caught trying to pull everything or trying to drive it to right field.”

The center fielder also earned laurels for his glove, even impressing coaches a class up from the Saints with his ability to cover acres of ground.

“He was the best outfielder I saw this year,” said Poland coach Dave Jordan, “and when you add in his offensive numbers, he’s pretty solid.”

– Randy Whitehouse