Eastern junior softball pitcher Ashley Robison pitched an entire 27-inning game in high school.

She allowed one run and struck out 31 hitters, the second highest single-game total in Illinois High School Association history.

That feat would be impossible in baseball, where it’s hard-pressed to find a pitcher to complete a full game.

But by pitching underhand, which softball head coach Kim Schuette describes as a more natural way to pitch, makes marathon pitchers a reality in softball.

“A lot of times in the summer girls can pitch two (games) one day, two the next day,” Schuette said. “In college, usually when it gets down to the stretch, and you have your ace, you’ll go with your ace every game.”

Although Robison did admit to being tired after her 27-inning start, she said the longer she throws, the better she feels.

“We can go full games,” Robison said. “You’ll notice in softball there’s not as many pitchers as there are in baseball because it is a natural motion and you can go for longer. If you have the endurance, you can do it.”

Eastern pitchers will have a chance to throw multiple innings today, when the Panthers host Ball State in a non-conference doubleheader.

Sophomore pitcher Kathleen Jacoby, compares to baseball pitcher, looks like a reliever. Jacoby threw six complete innings in 30 games.

Jacoby, a junk pitcher, features everything from a curveball to a rise ball (a ball she described as going in the opposite direction of a split finger in baseball) and said a softball pitcher needs to warm up their legs.

“There have been times that my arm’s been sore,” she said. “But the only reason I wouldn’t be pitching is if my legs have been tired, not my arm.”

Despite the long innings softball pitchers go, team trainer Courtney Stefanski said she hasn’t seen any arm problems yet this season.

The only situation Stefanski would pull one of the pitchers from a game if she is injured or is suffering from a previous injury.

In the case of another Ashley Robison 27-inning stint this season, Stefanski said she would recommend to Schuette that a pitcher relax more during practice.

Eastern’s head athletic trainer Mark Bonnstetter, who’s also worked at Southern Illinois and Miami, cited the mechanics of softball pitching has an advantage compared to baseball.

“It’s much less stressful on the shoulder; in softball you don’t need a long recovery period,” he said.

However, Bonnstetter did say a softball player is not immune from an arm injury as there have been the occasional rotator cuff and labrum injuries that plagued pitchers in the past.

Schuette said her pitchers begin warming up overhand like the other players and Jacoby makes sure she starts her pre-game workout with a nice jog.

With no arm problems thus far this season, the conditioning appears to be working, but that doesn’t stop Schuette from crossing her fingers.

“Most times, knock on wood, pitchers don’t have trouble with their rotator cuff or in a part of their shoulder or their elbow; not as common to have arm trouble with a softball pitcher, than it is to have trouble with a baseball pitcher,” she said.

Sophomore pitcher Kathleen Jacoby delivers a pitch in a game. The underhand style of pitching allows pitchers more endurance. (Amir Prellberg/The Daily Eastern News)

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