LOCAL PITCHERS ENJOYING EARLY SEASON COLLEGIATE SUCCESS
Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports Editor
04-03-09 - Junior pitcher Kelly Briscoe, a Ichabod Crane graduate and current SUNY Brockport softball player, is off to a quick start this season for the Golden Eagles. Also representing Columbia County is former Chatham player Zach Kraham. The freshman is off to a good start playing at the University of Albany this season.
Briscoe, who on March 30 was named Eagle Elite Athlete of the Week on March 30, is off to a blazing start helping the Golden Eagles to a 12-3-1 early season record. "Everything has just been coming together," said Briscoe of her team’s early season efforts. "Great pitching, hitting, and team chemistry."
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Kelly Briscoe, SUNY Brockport, Pitcher
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In five starts on the mound this year, Briscoe’s statistics are overwhelming, starting with the fact that she has pitched complete games in every start. In those five games Briscoe has thrown 3 shutouts en route to compiling a 4-1 record. In 31 innings pitched, she has surrendered just four hits, all singles, and only two runs, both of which were unearned. Not only dominating with power, Briscoe has also showed control, walking just six batters, hitting two while striking out 35. Opponents are batting just .040 against her this season. "I worked really hard in the off season," said Briscoe. "I’ve gained some speed and movement, and I’m hitting my spots really well."
This season Briscoe has thrown a perfect game, a no hitter, two one-hitters, and one two-hitter. Her lone loss this season was a 1-0 score with the only run scored being unearned. Moving forward, Briscoe had this to say about her own goals and her teammates’ goals: "Our main goal as a team is to host and win SUNYACS, so we can advance to the NCAA tournament. I just want to win, stay confident, and keep doing what I can to help the team win," Briscoe added.
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SUNY Brockport softball team |
At the Division I level it is not often a freshman is thrown into the fire, but at the University at Albany that is exactly what happened with Zach Kraham. Early on Kraham earned a starting role at third base, appearing and starting in six games. During his time in the field, Kraham totaled two putouts and ten assists while picking up two hits and two runs at the plate.
On the mound, Kraham has appeared in three games, starting two of them. Kraham has compiled a record of 1-1 while pitching nine innings in his three appearances. On the season, he has given up 16 hits and 11 runs, but only 7 of them earned, while walking 8 and striking out 11. Kraham has an ERA of 7.00, which is second among U. Albany starters. Kraham is one of just four pitchers who have registered a win for the Great Danes this season.
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Zach Kraham, University at Albany, starting pitcher |
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