Freshman pitcher Kendra Bowe has played a pivotal role in the St. Thomas softball team’s 19-5 record. In 17 appearances, she has ten wins and leads the team with a 1.22 ERA.

She is also holding opponents to a .173 batting average, and no one is more surprised than Bowe herself.

“I really was not expecting this at all,” Bowe said.

Bowe believes her work ethic has been vital to her success this season.

“I have the intent of hitting my spots every pitch and not taking a pitch off,” Bowe said.

Junior catcher Laura Pawlik said Bowe makes her life a little easier.

“If you have a good pitcher, it kind of makes catching easier,” Pawlik said.

Bowe’s streak of success led her to winning the MIAC Pitcher of the Week for all February and March games.

Pawlik said she wasn’t surprised.

“She’s very posed, very composed on the mound, very vocal… so she brings a really great energy,” Pawlik said.

With key victories over nationally ranked opponents University of Wisconsin-River Falls and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, coach John Tschida says he is impressed with Bowe’s drive.

“Some kids don’t know how to turn it up in practice and then they try to turn it up in a game, and that’s where they get nervous… where she just always is competing against herself and against others,” Tschida said.

Looking ahead, Tschida has high hopes for Bowe.

“She’ll get stronger, she’ll get better at her pitches, so she’ll have a very good career,” Tschida said.

Even after all the success she’s had so far, Bowe said she is a perfectionist and expects to continue improving and dominating.

“I’m not satisfied. I always want to be getting better. But overall, I’m really happy with where I’m at so far,” Bowe said.

Hayley Schnell can be reached at schn3912@stthomas.edu.