Pfennig aiming for pitch-perfect
Accomplishments: Danielle Pfennig feels every softball pitcher on the high school, competitive and collegiate levels has that one go-to pitch that they can rely on against opposing batters.
The Lodi High softball pitcher, a sophomore who also plays first base, used her wellknown pitch against Tokay in a cross-town and Tri-City Athletic League rivalry game at the Lodi Softball Complex on April 20. Pfennig and the Flames evened their series with the Tigers with a 12-2 win in a game that ended in six innings because of the 10-run mercy rule. Tokay won the first meeting, 6-3, also at the complex on March 29.
Pfennig threw a five-hitter, and struck out seven Tiger batters. Most of the batters were caught off-guard with her drop ball. The pitch, which requires the pitcher to snap her wrist sufficiently at the point of release, is usually used when a batter becomes comfortable, and has an idea of what the pitcher is going to toss on certain counts and runner situations.
“It breaks low and they (batters) think it’s going to be right down the middle,” said Pfennig, “but it will break.”
Pfennig learned that particular pitch when she started playing softball at age 10. Now 16, she’s works on the pitch beyond the Flames’ practices.
“You just have to gout and try to perfect it,” Pfennig said. “You can either can throw it or its going to be hard (to hit it). They (opposing batters) will probably hit it you throw it too high.”
At the plate against Tokay, Pfennig went 3for-4 that was a part of the Flames’ 14 hits in the game, and 2 RBIs. One of those hits included a triple that drove in two runs in the top of the sixth inning.
The win, Pfennig feels, was a “confidence booster” for the Flames.
“We wanted to win that game,” Pfennig said.
On Wednesday, Lodi beat West 3-2 in nine innings. The victory keeps the Flames’ SacJoaquin Section playoff hopes alive — the TCAL sends three teams next month — for the third spot at 4-9 in league and 7-16 overall. West and Lincoln are tied for third at 4-7.
“We really want to get into playoffs,” Pfennig said.