Diamond Sparkles Episode 5: Hays Rutledge ~ Vandebilt Catholic
What’s it like being the star catcher for the state of Louisiana’s most storied prep softball program?
Hays Rutledge can answer that question. The rising senior is coming off an LSCA Class 4A All-State season which culminated in Vandebilt Catholic winning its 16th state title.
“It’s really great knowing the legacy,” said Rutledge, who batted .418 with 11 doubles, nine home runs and 36 RBIs with a .991 fielding percentage for a team that went 33-2 and won back-to-back championships.
It’s also a lot of work. Rutledge and coach James Spearman meticulously break down film to study the tendencies of opposing batters. The proof is in the pudding, as the Terriers’ pitching staff boasted LSWA Class 4A all-state MVP Lauren Baudoin and rising junior Abby Aguillard, who is ranked as one of the top pitchers in the south.
“Hays steals a lot of strikes,” Spearman said in regard to her ability to frame pitches. “She’s very good at it. She always has her head in the game when she’s behind the plate.”
Spearman said LHSAA umpires routinely praise Rutledge for her sportsmanship and demeanor behind the plate.
“I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had umpires come up and compliment her,” he said. “They said she’s a joy to umpire. Hitting-wise, she has a lot of power. She’s also a smart baserunner. She has a lot of (family) support and is dedicated to the game. You can tell that by how much she travels.”
Rutledge’s summer travel team, the Lady Dukes, are based out of Durham, North Carolina. Their first tournament was in Florida, where she played against and alongside Memphis, Western Kentucky and Georgia commits
The Lady Dukes will travel to Atlanta, Colorado, California and Kansas City. Rutledge’s father usually accompanies her on the longer trips.
“The competition is crazy,” she said of summer ball. “I know I’ll be facing some of these players again in college. I like the overall vibe of the organization. My coach (Todd Mayfield) is really good.”
Rutledge, who plans to eventually go to law school, has all the tools at catcher, including a rocket arm she displayed by throwing out John Curtis speedster Leigha Carter at the St. Thomas More Tournament.
“It’s as great a feeling as any, knowing that if my pitcher left one over the plate (resulting in a hit) or gave somebody a free bag, I have the opportunity to pick them off,” she said. Want to see some of her work? Watch this
The one thing that may trump catching a would-be base-stealer is a timely hit, said Rutledge, who finished the season with 51 knocks. She and Aguillard combined to drive in three runs that broke a 1-1 tie with Buckeye in the Division II select semifinals.
“I was able to play alongside and watch my best friends, Lexi Matherne and Kallie Waalk, succeed,” Rutledge said. “My relationships with them truly brought out the best in all our performances.”
Waalk and Matherne, who were also all-state selections, will return next season. The 2025 Vandebilt Catholic team, in fact, was composed of all underclassmen. Rutledge and Baudoin, as rising seniors, will be counted on to lead in 2026.
“Leadership is my most important trait on the field,” Rutledge said. “I build strong relationships with my teammates, and we all hold each other accountable. My goal was to build great chemistry with my team in a leadership position. I hope to keep this up going into my senior year.”
During her high school career, Rutledge has been blessed with two top-notch head coaches in Jeremy Duplantis (now at Hahnville) and Spearman, a former pitching coach. Vandebilt Catholic assistant Margaret Johnson, a former collegiate catcher who is in the Terriers’ Hall of Fame, lends valuable advice.
“Hays is an asset to whatever team she’s on,” Spearman said. “She’s a great teammate. She’s easy to coach. If you ask her to try something, she will. If she doesn’t think it works, she’ll talk to you.”
Spearman relied on that honesty while assessing his team’s pitching.
“If our pitchers aren’t hitting their spots, she can communicate it,” he explained. “She loves her teammates, but she doesn’t sugarcoat it.”
Rutledge, who has an older and a younger sister, camped at Northwestern State and plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana’s summer camp. She enjoys traveling and is open to attending college out-of-state.
Diamond Sparkles is a year-round column that tells the stories behind the stories of the Pelican State’s softball players. If you have someone that would make a great story send us an email to info@446sports.com
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