UNION CITY – Mississinawa Valley junior pitcher Ella Godfrey added her name to the Lady Blackhawks record book in a big way, breaking the program’s career strikeout record in a game against the National Trail Lady Blazers.
Godfrey entered the game needing just a handful of strikeouts to surpass the previous mark of 415, set by Kylie Welch from 2009-2012. She finished with 15 strikeouts against National Trail to establish the new school record.
“She has worked hard over these several years,” said Mississinawa Valley coach Shane Buckingham. “She’s only a junior, so she still has a year and a half to go to build on that record.”
Godfrey’s success has come through year-round dedication to her craft, continuing to play travel and select softball when the high school season is not in session.
“Ella is great – she has really good stuff,” Buckingham said. “She knows what she needs to work on, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
The record-breaking performance came on the heels of another milestone. In Monday night’s 4-1 non-conference win over the Union City, Indiana Lady Indians, Godfrey earned her 19th career varsity win, tying the school record previously held by Stephanie Amspaugh, who played from 1989-1993. With her next victory, Godfrey will stand alone atop that category as well.
Buckingham credited Lady Hawks pitching coach Mike Hartzell for helping Godfrey continue to develop into one of the area’s top pitchers.
“Mike has been working with her for the last couple of years,” Buckingham said. “He’s been a pitching coach for several years and has tutored many pitchers in the area. He works with her and calls the pitches. Last year they had to get used to each other, but they are starting to dial each other in and know what their strengths are.”
According to Buckingham, Godfrey’s latest accomplishment is just another addition to a growing list of records already under her name.
“She has just about every pitching record at Mississinawa Valley,” Buckingham said. “She has the single-game strikeout record, and she has the season record.”
With plenty of softball still ahead in her junior season and another full year to come, Godfrey’s place in Lady Blackhawks history is already secure — and she may not be finished rewriting the record book.
