Eleven-year-old Katie Brownell made national headlines, cheeks a-flushed, after she pitched a no-hitter in a Little League game in the small town of Oakfield, NY.
Even better for girl-power advocates, she struck out 18 boys. The only girl in the Oakfield-Alabama Little League baseball program, she has now become the only person anyone can remember pulling off the feat, ever.
“As far back as I can remember, I don’t ever recall hearing of a perfect game,” said Eric Klotzbach, league president. Without acquiring a three-ball count on any batter, she threw a perfect game for the Dodgers in an 11-0 victory over the Yankees.
In a twist of fate narrowly realized, two crucial decisions almost cost her the opportunity. First, Katie almost decided to play girls’ softball this year instead. The second came during the historic night when her coach was about to pull her out of the game. The scorekeeper balked and pointed out to him what was happening.
“I can’t pull her out,” Coach Sullivan said after taking a look at the scorebook himself. A sixth grade girl pitcher with a .714 batting average, Katie pitched a one-hitter in the first game of the season, claiming 14 strikeouts.
“She’s been pitching for three years, but she’s really come on and excelled this year,” said Jeff Sage, manager of the team.
Since news hit the wire, Katie and her mom have been flooded with phone calls from Buffalo area TV stations, New York newspapers, and even the “Today” show.
