April 14, 2010

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The perfect game is one of softball's most elusive accomplishments. That means no hits, no walks, no errors — no opposing baserunners, period, over the course of the entire ballgame — and it’s happened just seven times in Olivet Nazarene University softball history. For a pitcher, having your individual name alongside this accomplishment is an honor within itself, but knowing that it was an entire team effort makes the feat that much more rewarding. And for it to happen twice - in a week for that matter, to the same player during important conference competitions - makes the achievement even more astounding. Those were the sentiments felt by sophomore hurler Katie Hannagan (Monee, Ill.) who recorded her second perfect game of the season this afternoon, the first coming just five days ago.

Hannagan once again had total control on the mound as she was able to lure the Wolves of Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.) into nine groundouts, while striking out three. The free-swinging Wolves allowed Hannagan to stay strong throughout the duration of the contest as she threw just 42 pitches in the game.

"I was pretty pleased with my execution early in the count today. I was able to get ahead of the majority of the hitters, and as a result got them to chase some pitches later in the count," Hannagan pointed out.

Majority is an understatement, as Hannagan only got behind in the count to one batter, the first of the game. CSU's Brittany Rader worked herself to a full count, before being retired with a 1-3 groundout after an eight pitch at-bat. It was smooth sailing from there as Hannagan didn't even exceed more than eight pitches in an inning for the rest of the competition.

But the pitcher can only do so much after she releases the ball. The hitter's objective is to put the ball in play, and that the Wolves did as Hannagan only struck out a total of three hitters.

"I don't consider myself a strikeout pitcher," Hannagan said. "I don't have to. I have had a strong defensive unit behind me the entire season. They are terrific fielders and I know that because of the extra work they put in during and after practices. By having the mindset of nine players against one in trying to get a hitter out, pitching becomes very easy. I just throw what my catcher tells me to, I make sure to hit my spots, and my team takes care of the rest. Nora (Duffy) (Oak Lawn, Ill.) called a great game. Give credit to my teammates because if they didn't make the plays, today or last Thursday, these games would just be regular - but very important - conference victories."

Hannagan is correct with that statement as with her two perfect games combined with the other eight CCAC wins, Olivet moves into the top position in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference with a 10-0 record. Thus far on the season, Hannagan has helped the Tigers to an impressive 35-4 overall record as she currently boasts a 13-2 record of her own off the mound.