 "Photo: File Photo Courtesy Ron Besser")
DECATUR, Ala.—University of West Florida senior pitcher Emily Burge re-wrote the Argonaut softball record books on April 5 in Decatur, Ala., setting a new career strikeout record at 685.
The previous record, held by Sandy Morgan (1997-2000) at 678, stood for almost a decade.
The Argos collected two conference wins April 5, blanking Henderson State University 2-0 and earning an 8-3 victory over Christian Brothers University.
“I am so proud of Emily,” head Coach Tami Cyr said. “She has achieved an incredible accomplishment and has worked hard for four years.
“Emily came in as a freshman and made an immediate impact for our program, and that says a lot about a player to come in and make that much difference as a freshman. She has continued to make that kind of impact for all four years,” she said.
Jillian Lafrance improved to 19-3 with her 11th shutout win over Henderson State. Both Lafrance and Caurie Miller had 2-for-3 showings.
Game two of the day was originally scheduled for Monday as a makeup for Thursday, but ended up being moved to April 5. Burge earned the start and the 8-3 win, improving to 15-6 on the season.
Burge entered the game six strikeouts shy of breaking the record, and ended up sitting down 12 batters to tie her game-high this season.
“It’s really exciting and a great accomplishment,” Burge said. “I didn’t even know until it was brought to my attention almost two weeks ago, so it’s almost shocking.”
Christian Brothers opened scoring in the second game with a leadoff homerun but were answered by UWF in the third when Burge led off with a double to left center.
Kat Pursell followed with a single, and Amber Ingram loaded the bases with a walk. Junior Melissa Chastang took advantage of the situation with an RBI single to knot the game at one.
Kristee Wheeler took UWF to a 2-1 lead, and a pair of singles from Ingram and Chastang put two on for Shannon Miles who answered with a three-run homerun to put the Argos up 5-1.
CBU scratched one across in the bottom half of the inning, but a productive sixth inning for West Florida led to three more.
Stapleton scored on a ground out from Ingram, and the bases loaded on as Chastang and Miller drew a hit by pitch and a walk. Miles again capitalized with runners on, singling through the left side for 2 RBI.
The Argos held on for the 8-3 win.
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