WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Kaitlyn Moody, the 2015 Journal and Courier Big School Player of the Year and a three-time all-state honoree, is back in West Lafayette as a member of the Boilermaker softball team after spending her freshman year at IUPUI.
The pitcher garnered NFCA All-Central Region second team honors with the Jaguars in 2016 as well as a Summit League Pitcher of the Week nod (April 24). She saw action in 42 games with 37 starts at pitcher, first base and designated player. In 29 appearances in the circle, including 14 starts, she managed a 5-10 record with a 3.49 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 90 innings of work. At the plate, Moody batted .290 with five doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI. She also drew 20 walks and boasted a .416 on-base percentage. The local standout tallied multiple hits in eight games and put together two four-game hitting streaks.
As a prepster, Moody spent her first two seasons at Lafayette Jefferson High School before transferring to Harrison High School for her final two years. As a senior, Moody posted a 0.74 ERA and issued 230 strikeouts in 114 innings en route to a 14-6 record and .100 opponent batting average. The first team all-state selection also managed a .562 average at the plate with 11 doubles, three home runs and 24 RBI. Moody earned all-area and all-Hoosier Crossroads Conference honors with a 0.65 ERA and 226 strikeouts as a junior. She also boasted a .437 average, 12 doubles, four home runs and 33 RBI, while leading Harrison to conference and sectional titles. In 2013, the pitcher/first baseman led Lafayette-Jeff to the 4A sectional finals en route to her second straight third team all-state accolade and two National Fastpitch Coaches Association Player of the Week awards. As a rookie, Moody garnered first team all-HCC and all-area honors with a 1.88 ERA, 179 strikeouts, a 13-6 record, while also posting a .380 batting average with 15 doubles, three home runs and 22 RBI.
The 2017 Boilermakers, under first year head coach Boo DeOliveira, begin fall practice this week and will be announcing a fall slate in the coming days. Moody is one of eight newcomers to the team. In 2016, Purdue posted a 27-28 record, including a win over No. 24 UCF.
