By Staff
Sophomore coming off perfect game
By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Toni Paisley’s arm has been golden for the Purple and Gold.
The East Carolina redshirt sophomore has picked up right where she left off after having been sidelined by an injury last year. Paisley has posted an 11-4 record and a 1.66 ERA for the Lady Pirates (15-9, 3-3 Conference USA).
She’s been especially brilliant recently, firing a perfect game in a 9-0 win over Georgetown on March 10, and following that up with a no-hitter in a 2-1 victory over Southern Miss on Saturday.
The perfect game was the second of her career.
Paisley, whose first perfect game came in a 10-0 nod over Binghamton on March 3, 2007, knew late in the game what was on the line.
Paisley, named to the 2009 Preseason All-Conference-USA Team, notched her no-hitter in C-USA play against Southern Miss. She struck out seven and walked two.
The no-hitter was the fourth of Paisley’s career, tying her for third on the C-USA career list.
Paisley, who has struck out 105 and walked 29 while giving up 71 hits in 105 1/3 innings of work this season, was more than ready to return to the circle after being a spectator for most of last year.
While her arm has gotten stronger, so has Paisley’s mental approach.
The 5-7 sophomore from Lakewood, Calif., continues to climb the career charts even though she is into just her second full season on the diamond.
Her 346 strikeouts rank fifth all-time. Keli Harrell (2004-07), an assistant on this year’s team, holds the mark with 948 strikeouts.
Paisley’s 15 career shutouts is tied for sixth with Tracie Podratsky (1993-96) on the East Carolina all-time list.
Her 36 career wins is tied for eighth with Stacey Boyette (1984-86). Jenny Parsons owns the record with 102 wins (1990-93).
Paisley will likely crack the top 10 in innings pitched with her next performance. She has 332 1/3 innings to her credit (Podratsky pitched 334 2/3 innings, which is tenth on the chart).
Paisley picked up a multitude of honors her freshman season: 2007 C-USA Freshman-of-the-Year, 2007 Second Team All-C-USA, 2007 C-USA All-Freshman Team, 2007 C-USA All-Tournament Team and 2007 NCCSIA All-State.
Though the honors are nice, Paisley has a more team-oriented goal.
Paisley and the Lady Pirates return to action Wednesday at N.C. State.