The Justice

Media Credit: David Sheppard-Brick

Four hours after capping her complete game victory against Keene State College in the semifinal round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament May 11, softball pitcher Kate Streilein '08 was on the mound again, this time in relief, to close out the team's first-ever ECAC championship.

It marked the fourth time this season Streilein notched two victories in a single day.

She earned all four victories in the Judges' postseason run and also batted .538 with seven hits in 13 at-bats en route to being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

"I feel pretty confident [on the mound]," Streilein said. "I want to win, and I want to help my team win, and if I can do that by throwing or hitting I want to do whatever I can."

The multi-faceted Streilein enjoyed success throughout the entire season, pacing the Judges' starters with a 22-3 record and a 1.68 earned run average. She also led the team's hitters with a .489 batting average, .538 on-base percentage, eight home runs and 38 RBIs.

As a result, Streilein was named a second-team All-American, the first All-American in the history of the softball program. She was instrumental in leading the Judges to a school-record 38 wins, including a 23-game winning streak. Twelve of Streilein's 22 wins came during this streak.

"We took it one game at a time; we weren't even focused on the streak," Streilein said. "I think the thing you can [ask for] as an athlete is to be consistent."

While Streilein has been equally productive as both a pitcher and hitter, she finds pitching to be more difficult.

"Pitching requires a lot of thinking; I don't think when I bat," Streilein said. "[I try to] hit the ball; that's pretty much it. I swing at the first pitch a lot."

Still, Streilein's work ethic is unquestioned. After going 5-6 with a 4.46 earned run average last season, she put herself through a rigorous offseason training program-lifting weights and running each morning-in order to improve for her final season.

"She's always worked hard, but I think she worked even harder in the offseason," coach Jessica Johnson said. "[She had the] determination that she was going to be our number one pitcher."

The few times Streilein has faltered this season, she has managed to even the score against the opposing team. In the opening round of the ECAC tournament May 7 against Emerson College, Streilein surrendered a single with the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning, giving Emerson a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, however, Streilein returned the favor, leading off with a home run to tie the score at one. The Judges won 2-1 in the bottom of the final inning, with Streilein scoring the winning run.

"There's no better feeling than when you win and you did well during the game," Streilein said. "It's great to see your hard work pay off."

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