SOFTBALL Shenango pitcher is strikeout specialist

Her effort is believed to be the ninth-most in a single game.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Life is finally getting back to normal for Sarah Shaffer. Now, she can focus on leading the Shenango High softball team (9-4) to a section title.
In a span of four days last week, Shaffer, a senior pitcher for the Wildcats, struck out 82 batters. Most impressive was a 40-strikeout performance in a 17-inning, 1-0 victory at Monaca on April 29.
"It doesn't feel like that big of a deal because I didn't know how many I struck out until after the fact," said Shaffer, a four-year starter.
Exceeding expectations
Shaffer had 20 strikeouts in a game earlier this season and, on April 29, figured she had reached that plateau again, having pitched so many innings.
So you could have guessed her reaction when told that she doubled that estimate.
"Oh, that was a little more than I expected," she thought after the game.
A Susquehanna recruit, Shaffer recorded most of her strikeouts against Monaca on inside riseballs, she said.
"You could tell that it wasn't so much frustration [from the batters] as it was them coming up and just wanting to hit the ball," Shaffer said. "So the pressure was more on my part to make sure they didn't."
Shaffer allowed three hits and three walks and ended up scoring the winning run in the top of the 17th inning. She was able to hold off Monaca in the bottom half.
"One of my coaches was asking me how I was feeling," Shaffer said. "Toward the end, I was so wiped out. I'm like, 'I just want to finish this game.' "
Shaffer's strikeout total is believed to be the ninth-most in a single game. Six of the other eight games were recorded in California.
Heading into Shenango's game with Farrell on Tuesday, Shaffer had totaled 192 strikeouts for the season, already a career high.
"It has a lot to do with [experience] and the team," she said of the success. "This year our team works together so well. Everybody is friends. You want to come out and you want to play softball. The atmosphere has a lot to do with it."
No let-up
The day after her 40-strikeout game, Shaffer tossed a no-hitter, striking out 12, in a 14-1 victory over Farrell.
She also had 15 strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Neshannock on April 28 and 15 more in a 2-1 loss to Monaca on May 1.
"I just had a really good week, when everything came together," Shaffer said.
The week also served as a lesson.
"It made me more aware that anything can happen," she said. "I'm trying to go in there and remember that anybody can have a good day at any time."
richesson@vindy.com