Pennell going distance at GCC
GROVE CITY Rest? There is no rest for Lauren Pennell.
The Grove City College sophomore
is the Wolverines' pitching staff.And she is embracing it."You just have to hang in there and know you're not always going to have the prettiest stats," said Pennell, a Seneca Valley graduate. "You just have to know you have a great defense behind you to back you up."There is a defense in the field to give Pennell relief, but precious few arms to grant her the same respite from the circle.Senior Amy Fisher, an infielder by trade, is the only other pitcher who has logged innings this season for the 12-9 Wolverines.And Fisher has tossed only 20 innings.That has left Pennell as the starter, middle reliever and closer all rolled into one.Pennell has pitched 127Z\c innings this season for Grove City in 22 appearances. She often pitches in and completes both ends of a doubleheader.In a sweep of Washington & Jefferson that lifted Grove City to 4-0 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference last Thursday, Pennell pitched all five innings in an 11-3 win in the first game, the came back to record a two-hitter in a 1-0 victory in Game 2.She followed up with two more shutouts Saturday, 3-0 and 9-0 decisions against Waynesburg. Pennell allowed six hits in the 12 innings, with 10 strikeouts and one walk."It's something I prepared for mentally," said Pennell. "I like it. I like being out there."Her bulldog mentality will ultimately land her in the Grove City College record book.Michelle Kirin holds the Grove City single-season record for innings pitched at 137. Pennell is on pace to throw 230 innings this season.The NCAA Division III record for innings pitched in a season is 307 set by Lisa Wilmer of Methodist College in 1986."It is not ideal by any means to have (only) one pitcher in a 40-game season," said Grove City coach Chelle Fuss. "But it is also quite an opportunity for Lauren to show what she is made of."Pennell added a pitch to her repertoire this season: a deceptive rise ball to complement her fastball, changeup, drop-curve and screwball.She is by no means a strikeout artist, though; Pennell has whiffed only 66 batters this season.Instead, she relies on her control and the strong fielders behind her. Grove City has committed just 34 errors this season."Ground balls, pop-ups my defense is awesome," Pennell said. "I wouldn't ask for anyone else behind me."Pennell is no stranger to piling up the innings. Last season, she was thrust into the role of workhorse when senior pitcher Kim Guyaux battled an illness. Pennell appeared in a school-record 23 games and pitched 133 innings.But last year she did that with an experienced catcher behind the plate. This year, the catching duties have fallen to Grove City High graduate Jess Hodge, who hadn't played the position since elementary school.Like the shortfall on the pitching staff, Grove City found itself without a catcher on the roster after failing to snag several recruits.Fuss asked for volunteers and Hodge raised her hand.Pennell and Hodge are close on the field and off of it."I honestly didn't think I would be catching," Hodge said. "But I'm loving it. I love working with L.P. I think I'm doing OK."Pennell intervenes: "She's awesome."
