This week, the recent North graduate was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year for the high school division, marking the second straight year she’s earned that distinction.
“It’s crazy,” says Mooney. “I really don’t know what to think about it because so much goes into it.”
After setting state single-season records in batting average (.779) and home runs (19) as a senior, Mooney entered the North Carolina High School Athletic Association record book as the career leader in home runs with 37. And as good a player as she is, Mooney has more going for her. Her smile and sense of humor are contagious, and she is taking that and her on-field talent to James Madison University this fall.
Mooney’s a rare talent to be sure. Her numbers are just unbelievable. Perhaps the only thing more unbelievable is that opposing teams kept pitching to her, despite her success.
Known as “Boomer,” Mooney is certainly one of the state’s best players ever. But when it comes to elite players from northern Mecklenburg County, she’s not alone.
Had they had not been born 10 years apart, the matchup between Mooney and former Hopewell High pitcher Shaina Ervin would have been something to behold. If we ever get our grant approved for the Citizen’s time machine, then we will make sure lining those two up on a diamond is a priority.
Ironically, Mooney, the star Viking, actually grew up in Hopewell’s district and went to Bradley Middle School. But she landed at North because of the International Baccalaureate program. While growing up, Mooney used to go watch the Titan softball team play and even took beginner pitching lessons from Ervin in Hopewell’s gym.
So if time travel was possible and we were able to put Ervin on the rubber and Mooney in the batter’s box, with both the same age and at the same stage of their careers, could Boomer have gotten a hit?
“She was big, and she threw hard, so I don’t know,” says the always-humble Mooney. “I pray to goodness I wouldn’t whiff.”
People always want to compare top players and pick the best, a practice that is generally unproductive and inspired by bias or ignorance. And really, who cares?
The truth is it’s all subjective anyway, and valid arguments can be made for any number of candidates, or in this case, either player. But having seen both Mooney and Ervin play in their high school primes, I expect that both would have their moments of glory against the other. One thing is certain: it would always be interesting.
While Mooney handled most opposing pitchers with ease, Ervin dominated batters with overwhelming pitching performances and led Hopewell to back-to-back 4A state titles in 2002 and 2003. She, too, was an All-American and was also a two-time state MVP (she split the honor with twin sister Miranda, Hopewell’s catcher, as a senior) and the 2003 N.C. Gatorade Softball Player of the Year. In two seasons with the Titans, she was 49-5 and, as a senior, she threw four perfect games and tossed back-to-back no-hitters during the final four. She threw so many no-hitters (11 as a senior) that it was surprising when batters reached base against her and regarded as no big deal when her opponents were held hitless. Her unheard of statistical answer to Mooney’s .779 batting average was a 0.09 ERA as a junior.
The expectations for Ervin’s pitching were similar to those Mooney had at the plate, too. Call it human nature, but those watching couldn’t help but expect the very best from each of them every time out. For both, the remarkable became routine.
“Oh, Mooney hit two home runs? Ervin threw a no-no? That’s nice. So, what’s on TV tonight ...”
Shaina and Miranda Ervin graduated in Hopewell’s first class in 2003, and were the first softball recruits in North Carolina State University history. Forming a sisterhood battery, they led the Wolfpack to an Atlantic Coast Conference title in the program’s third year. Shaina was the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament MVP in 2006, and posted a 1.81 ERA, 55 wins and 704 strikeouts in more than 700 innings of college work.
Though no longer in the playing spotlight, Shaina Ervin is still active in the game. She is now the pitching coach at Georgia Tech, while Miranda is the head coach at Queens University in Charlotte. And Mooney, while known for her ability at the plate and behind it, has not given up on the goal of pitching. In fact, she is on the JMU roster as a catcher and pitcher.
So bottom line. Between Shaina Ervin and Sarah Mooney, who would win?
It’s really quite simple.
Anyone who had the chance to watch.
