04/20/24
June 07, 2009
Softball Pitcher Strikes Out 32 Batters in One Game: Danielle Schmidt, a high school softball pitcher in Woodbury, Minn., struck out 32 batters she faced in an 11-inning state quarterfinal playoff game this week. Six hours later, she threw a no hitter. "I just want to play my best on every pitch," she said.
46 strikeouts in a single day. Nice. I wonder what college is giving her a scholarship.
My arm hurts when I sneeze.
I think that's a heart attack.
posted by NoMich at 01:18 PM on June 07, 2009
High school level or no, that is just about as impressive an accomplishment as I've ever heard about a pitcher achieving. Good for her and great link!
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:46 PM on June 07, 2009
New Life Academy, Schmidt's school, won the title 7-0 the next day.
Not to pee in anyone's Cheerios here, but there are some mitigating factors. Looking at the Minnesota State High School League's web site, Class 1A is the small enrollment class in its system. Most of the schools have around 200 students, which means one really strong pitcher can blow through an entire tournament because of the lesser wear-and-tear to fast-pitch hurlers.
It would be tough to tell from this whether Schmidt is a bonafide stud prospect for a Division I school or is just overmatching poor competition. It could be both, and the talent apparently runs in the family -- someone with the same last name also made the All-Tournament team at state.
I'm going to venture a couple of guesses here:
1) Schmidt throws hard, and probably is that good. No matter how bad the competition is, you would expect a few more outs via attempted bunts. There was only the one.
The fact she gave up a two-run homer also leads me to believe someone got a lucky swing in and Schmidt's own velocity helped the ball over the fence. I used to see it off good pitchers in top-level men's fast pitch -- if you got a decent piece of a first-rate fastball, it went a long way.
2) New Life Acadeny has a smart coach. Despite this being a repeat title and having a stud pitcher, NLA's record this season entering the state tourney was just 19-6. To me, that sounds like someone is bringing along secondary pitchers, or at least giving others a chance to throw.
Yes, I have far too much time on my hands on Sundays.
posted by wfrazerjr at 03:53 PM on June 07, 2009
The 32 batters alone would be terrific. To then throw in a no hitter. Wow...
posted by Drood at 05:54 PM on June 08, 2009
The next day, her arm fell off.
Seriously though, that's amazing. Then to follow it up with a no-hitter just 6 hours later! Oh to be young again. My arm hurts when I sneeze.