STA sophomore Abbie Gaynor's reaction to no-hitter, 100th strikeout isn't what you expect
SOMERSWORTH — Abbie Gaynor was excited when she struck out the final batter in the fifth inning to end Wednesday’s Division III softball game at Somersworth.
Gaynor, a sophomore pitcher with the St. Thomas Aquinas High School softball team, wasn’t excited about the Saints' 17-0 win. She wasn’t excited about reaching the 100-strikeout club in the game, and she wasn’t excited about throwing her third career no-hitter.
What she was excited about was getting out of the cold, damp, rainy weather that was constant throughout the game.
“I was just happy the game was over because I was cold, I didn’t even know at the time it was a no-hitter,” said Gaynor, a Stratham resident. “(The weather was difficult), but my catcher (Carolina Mollica) helped me stay in control, she definitely helped. I just had to do what I know how to do, and pitch like I know how.”
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Gaynor threw two no-hitters last season as a freshman, both against Winnisquam. She also threw three one-hitters last year.
“(Gaynor) did a great job battling the weather conditions today,” St. Thomas Aquinas head coach McKenzie McGrath said. “Trying to grip a ball as a fielder in cold rainy weather is never fun, let alone for pitchers who have to go out on the mound every inning throwing pitch after pitch.
“The way she pitched today in the weather conditions was really impressive,” McGrath continued. “She held her own out there, and didn’t the let the weather get to her.”
Gaynor had 67 strikeouts as a freshman, and has 37 in 17 innings this season for a career total of 104. She had a season-high 16 over seven innings in a 12-2 win over Bishop Brady, and then 11 over five innings in a 15-3 win over Somersworth.
“Reaching 100 strikeouts as a sophomore is a great accomplishment,” McGrath said. “She’s going to continue to hit milestone after milestone as she goes through the rest of her career.”
Gaynor walked five in Wednesday’s win, but escaped damage every time runners were on.
“Not much fazes her,” McGrath said. “When runners get on , and she doesn’t blink an eye. She comes back strong for the next batter and just gets the job done.”
The Hilltoppers had the bases loaded with one out in one inning, but shortstop Elizabeth Flynn snared a line drive in the air and doubled up the runner at first for the inning-ending double play. Senior Ashleigh von der Linden also caught made a spectacular play at third in another inning, keeping the no-hitter intact.
“Both were amazing plays,” Gaynor said. “Those definitely helped.”
Gaynor didn’t know she reached the 100-strikeout milestone until she heard a “louder than normal” cheer coming from the visitor’s dugout after her sixth strikeout of the day.
“I was trying to keep (reaching 100) quiet so she wasn’t focusing on that too much,” McGrath said. “She has achieved so much in the season and a half that she has played for us so far. She certainly has a bright future ahead of her, to say the least.”
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: St. Thomas: Abbie Gaynor gets 100th strikeout in softball no-hitter
