Friday, April 13, 2001
Fairfield pitcher overcomes injury
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Emily Breitholle's projected bright future as a college softball pitcher suddenly appeared in doubt.
Rated one of the Cincinnati-are's best pitchers with a 17-3 record and 0.40 earned run average as a Fairfield junior, Breitholle suffered a broken bone in her right hand at August tryouts for the volleyball team.
“I had a cast on the hand for four weeks that went halfway up the right arm,” Breitholle said. “After it was removed, it took a while to start moving. I panicked but the doctors told me it would come back.”
Because of the injury, Breitholle's winter conditioning program was put on hold for nearly five months.
Rather than take a chance at reinjuring the hand, Breitholle didn't attempt to throw a ball or take instructions from pitching coach Chris Minor until late January.
“The first time I threw a ball in the backyard I was cautious because I was afraid of breaking it again,” Breitholle said. “The doctors aren't sure if I broke it during the summer or playing volleyball.”
Breitholle's early season statistics point to a complete recovery.
In seven complete games, Breitholle has allowed one earned run in 49 innings, while striking out 55 and walking two. Her ERA is 0.14.
Fairfield coach Brenda Stieger has watched Breitholle progress as a pitcher over the last three seasons and remembers her first starting assignment as a freshman against Centerville.
“I brought Emily up from the JV (junior varsity) to pitch the one game and she threw a no-hitter,” Stieger said. ""Katie Doyle was our starter that year but I immediately knew we had something special.”
Last season, Breitholle compiled a 17-3 record, allowing 10 eaned runs in 139 3/4 innings, while striking out 171 batters.
Coming into this week, she had a career record of 40-5 with an earned run average of 0.062. The Indians have won consecutive sectional championships with Breitholle on the mound.
“When Emily moves the ball around and changes speeds, she's very effective,” Stieger said.
“As a person, she's an easy going, fun kid with a loose personality. She never gets rattled and pitches best against the better teams.”
Breitholle, who will attend Northern Kentucky University, credits catcher Megan Owens and personal coach Minor with much of the past success.
“Coach Minor spends hours on fundamentals,” Breitholle said. “She also works on strategy which includes when to throw different pitches.”
Owens, who has been Breitholle's battery mate since the seventh grade, also will attend NKU.
“We communicate well together which is important to a pitcher,” Breitholle said.
Besides an outstanding fastball, Breitholle also effectively throws a drop, riser, curve and change-up.
“I probably go with the fastball 60 percent of the time,” Breitholle said. “During the summer when the competition is stronger, I only throw the fastball about 30 percent of the pitches.”
Fairfield reached the Division I district championship game last year but Breitholle and the Indians has eight errors and were eliminated by Clayton Northmont.
Winning the Greater Miami Conference championship is Breitholle's first goal but the second is making up for the past two seasons and earning a spot in the state final four.
If Breitholle remains healthy and continues pitching like the first part of the season, the Indians might earn a trip to Ashland for a shot at the Division I championship.
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