Rachel Rook’s biggest critic is always herself.
Strike out the side in order? Could’ve done it on fewer pitches.
Blow a fastball by the team’s star 3-hole hitter with the bases loaded and two outs? The fastball could have had more zip.
Call it holding yourself to a high standard.
And, through three years of high school, Rook has set the bar very, very high for herself.
The Republic junior had her finest season yet in 2015, posting a 25-3 overall record, 0.95 ERA and 323 strikeouts. Her 25 wins and 323 Ks put her in the Top 10 in state history (single season) for those respective categories.
“They mean a lot to me,” Rook said. “I think it’s a reflection of my hard work, I guess. They’re right up there with winning a district title my sophomore year.”
In 28 starts last season, Rook held the opposition to one run or less 19 times, including 14 shutouts.
Ever the competitor, Rook is always striving to be a little better. When she does run into trouble, it often becomes a mind game.
“It’s usually all mental,” Rook said. “I’m so hard on myself. I want every pitch to be perfect and I don’t want to mess up. Even just little things, like walking someone, can kind of throw me off a little bit. I’ve learned to get it back fairly quickly, though.”
Sparking the passion
Rook always starts the game the same way: by receiving a new, unwrapped ball from Republic coach Lee Dishman. This is a necessity.
“Dishman has to unwrap (the ball) and toss it to me,” Rook said. “I will wait for him to unwrap it. One time, assistant coach Allen Stolte did it and I almost freaked out.”
Rook recalled attending a Republic softball game in the late 2000s, featuring – at the time – star players Hailey Johnson and Jamie Holmes, both of whom were three-time all-state selections.
A tee-ball player at the time, Rook wanted to follow in their steps. So, Rook’s father started researching the sport.
“(My dad) said that when I got home, I told him I wanted to pitch,” Rook said. “He Googled (softball pitching) and read a book. That’s how it all got started. He knew nothing about pitching before then.”
Rook soon went to work and never stopped. She practiced six days per week, for 1-2 hours per session.
As she’s fine-tuned her game, Rook has become comfortable working on her own.
“Now that I’m older, I know what I’m doing wrong,” Rook said. “I don’t have to have someone there all the time. I’ve become more independent with it.”
Rook said her fastball typically tops our around 59 or 60 mph, the MLB equivalent of a pitch in the mid-80s. During a tournament game against Camdenton, Rook was clocked at 63 mph; which would register at 90 mph on the MLB scale.
But, she maintains, there’s always an opportunity to be better.
“People tell me I throw really fast, but every time I throw, I think it’s the slowest thing ever,” Rook said. “It annoys me because I want to know that I’m throwing fast.”
Rook’s diligence and on-field performances earned her a scholarship to play at Southeast Missouri State. The Division I program saw Rook pitch for Republic last September during the Tigers’ trip to Cape Girardeau for a tournament.
“In my mind, if I didn’t go Division I, it was kind of like a disappointment,” Rook said. “Because why would I spend 10 years working this hard and not play at the top level?”
Chasing another title
Other than winning a district title in 2014, Rook’s top memory during her high school career may be a signed ball she received from the team after surpassing the 300-strikeout mark in a district semifinal win against McDonald County.
“We were sitting down on the left-field line like we always do after a game and (Republic coach Lee) Dishman handed me a new ball and said, ‘I guess if you get 300 strikeouts you can have people sign the ball,’” Rook said. “Everyone on the team signed it. That was cool.”
The Tigers were this close to winning a district title – and perhaps making a run to state – last fall. Republic fell 3-1 in an epic district finals battle versus Joplin.
Rook and Joplin starting pitcher Michaela Sennett combined for 40 strikeouts in a game that only saw seven total base hits.
“I remember just about everything (from that game),” Rook said.
Despite graduating four starters – including SBU signees Lauren Strobel (3B) and Emily Hall (C) – Rook and the Tigers figure to be in contention to win their second district title in four years this fall.
Republic returns Rook and her childhood friend, power-hitting shortstop Kami Holt.
And you can believe, even after coming off one of the best pitching seasons in state history, Rook thinks she can be better in 2016.
