The Husky Haul
Fansided

Catching up with Washington Softball: The No.1 team in the country

By Christopher Angkico

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 16: Dubs, the mascot for the University of Washington, takes the field prior to the game between the Washington Huskies and the Fresno State Bulldogs at Husky Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 16: Dubs, the mascot for the University of Washington, takes the field prior to the game between the Washington Huskies and the Fresno State Bulldogs at Husky Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 09: A very young Washington Husky cheerleader performs during the game against the Montana Grizzlies at Husky Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 09: A very young Washington Husky cheerleader performs during the game against the Montana Grizzlies at Husky Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Dominant Pitching

Of course, prolific offense doesn’t mean anything if the pitching staff can’t hold down opposing lineups game after game. Fortunately, Washington Softball doesn’t have that problem.

A year removed from an outstanding sophomore campaign, Taran Alvelo has been phenomenal once again. Alvelo is 16-1 so far this season, and set a new-career best with a 31.1-inning shutout streak to begin the season. That’s the longest by any Huskies pitcher in over five years. Her 16 wins to start the year were tied for the longest undefeated streak of her career.

In the first game of the Arizona series, she struck out 14 batters in eight innings, a career high. Two days later, she retired 20 hitters in a row in a one-hit shutout. She continues to be on point in the circle, and feels right at home putting hitters in a daze day after day.

Gabbie Plain has been fantastic in her freshman season. In her 14 appearances, she has thrown five complete games, and has a 9-1 record. In a game against UNLV March 19, she struck out 13 batters while pitching a complete game shutout. Her 13 K’s were the most by a UW freshman in 12 years.

Sophomore Samantha Manti rounds out the rotation. She’s 6-0 this season in 11 appearances, and was key to the Huskies’ win over No.6 Texas A&M a month ago. Manti put in five quality innings of relief and allowed only one unearned run, which was key in enabling UW to grind out a 4-3 win in nine innings.

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