Freshman pitcher establishes herself as Panthers’ ace

Brett Shweky // Staff Writer

With the game being tied going into the top of the eighth, pitcher Shannon Saile returned to the mound preparing to lead the Panthers out of the inning against the Fighting Irish Saturday. The freshman hurler struck out an additional two Notre Dame batters in the inning, to bring her strikeout total to twelve on the day.  

Saturday’s game against the Fighting Irish, was the fourth time this season that Saile recorded 10-or-more strikeouts in a game. Having played in nine games so far, the freshman has been able to accumulate 71 strikeouts in just 51 innings pitched.

Having played in nine collegiate games, the freshman hurler says the faster pace of the game was one of the differences that stood out going from high school to college.

“The faster pace, the bigger hitters, relying on my team as much as I can are some differences I’ve noticed so far,” said Saile. “In high school, you don’t really have the outstanding outfielder that you would in college, my fielders have really been backing me up and that always makes a difference throughout any game.”

Prior to attending FIU, Saile went to Land O’Lakes High School where she was a four-year softball player and a three-year volleyball standout. As a senior for the Gators, she finished with 18 wins, a remarkable 0.78 ERA and 269 strikeouts. In 2016, she was named All-Tampa Player of the year and was a finalist for the 6A FACA Player of the year.

Saile who said it was always her dream to play division-one softball, decided to attend FIU because she felt the Panthers provided her with the best opportunity.

“I always wanted to play division-one softball in Florida,” said the freshman ace. “FIU presented themselves at the correct time, when I went on my unofficial visit I instantly fell in love with the university.”

Following the Panthers Sunday matchup against the Bryant University Bulldogs in the Citrus Classic II in Orlando, the team will travel to Fort Myers, Florida to take on the (2-3) College of the Holy Cross at noon and the (7-12) Ball State University at 2:30 p.m.