If you ever have a free afternoon, head over to the softball field on the west end of the South 40. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or windy or a little wet—suck it up because you’re going to witness something neat. With any luck, you’ll see her, Annie Pitkin, the righty ace of the Washington University softball team who’s earned her title utilizing a pitch that’s unique to her sport: the rise ball.
Senior starting pitcher Annie Pitkin tossed a perfect game and the Washington University softball team remained undefeated with a 4-0 weekend in Clermont, Fla.
The recent article announcing the relocation of athletic director Josh Whitman to the University of Illinois quoted a few student athletes who were overcome with a sense of abandonment and doubt. Specifically, a feeling that the “We. Us. Our.” mantra Whitman employed was somehow fabricated and will leave with him. I believe what Whitman did here cannot be forgotten. He accomplished more in 18 months than any of us could have imagined, including increased fan attendance and a newly generated sense of pride for Washington University athletics.
Every year senior ace Annie Pitkin has been on the Washington University softball pitching staff, she’s improved. As a freshman, she put together a 3.28 ERA in 111 innings. As a sophomore, it was 1.96 in 167.2. In her junior and most recent season, she twirled a 1.62 ERA in 169.0. It is not clear where her ceiling may be in her final season, but she is also excited about seeing the same development in the rest of the Bears pitching staff.
In the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at St. Lawrence University, then-senior Lucy Cheadle’s third career individual national title headlined a historic day for the Washington University women’s track and field team. The Bears captured five top-three finishes on their way to a third-place finish at the meet, their highest in school history.
By posting four consecutive shutouts, the No. 15 Washington University softball team came away with four convincing wins this weekend. Highlighted by two complete-game performances from junior starting pitcher Annie Pitkin, it was the first time since 2008 that the Bears registered four straight shutouts.
While this week’s Opening Day festivities may have signaled the beginning of the professional spring sports campaign, the Washington University spring sports season is already in full bloom.
Thanks to a pair of dazzling pitching performances, the No. 15 Washington University softball team (25-7 record) picked up two road wins over Monmouth College (6-13) on Saturday in Monmouth, Ill.
With the No. 21 softball Bears leading off their season with four games in Memphis, Tenn., this weekend, here’s a preview of what to expect from the Red and Green on the softball diamond this season.
With the regular season coming to a close, the Washington University softball team recorded its 30th victory after winning its fourth game of the weekend, but two losses against a regionally ranked opponent left the Bears wondering whether they will make the postseason.
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