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St. Thomas Softball Pitcher Sees Success On And Off Field

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The St. Thomas softball team is once again one of the best in the nation, ranked number 19 in the latest Division III poll.

Leading the way is a pitcher that's been nearly impossible to score on lately.

The numbers will turn your head, and your bat.

They may even be enough to send you back to the dugout shaking your head.

"[In a] big game and when we need her, you know, you need a strikeout, that's the kid you're gonna go to," coach John Tschida said.

Kendra Bowe has won her last eight straight outings, and during that 42-inning span given up exactly oneearned run.

"I would say control is definitely my strength," Bowe said.

"She's got a rise, a drop, a curve, a screw and, uh, a change that she can locate in different spots. That's what makes her hard, I think. Tough. Not only the locations, but you don't know what pitch you're gonna get," Tschida said.

She's 54-11 as a college pitcher.

Against conference opponents, she's 35-2 with an 0.96 ERA, including playoffs.

If you think that's a good ERA, you should see her GPA. She's a 3.88 student, giving her the rare chance at the honor of being both an athletic and academic All-American.

"Almost all of our All-Americans are Academic All-Americans. We've had 30 All-Americans and 28 have been Academic All-Americans. So I think it goes hand in hand. You just get that type of kid who doesn't like to fail and is kind of a bit of a perfectionist," Tschida said.

"Just having that same drive and that same determination," Bowe said. "That focus to do well in both school and academics."

Bowe was never even intending to play college softball, until at the last minute she changed her mind.

"I thought I was ready just to be done with sports, kind of start a new life, kind of form my new identity. That's what college is all about. And, yeah, definitely didn't happen. And definitely the best decision I ever made," Bowe said.

St. Thomas has won its last 11 in a row, and 17 of its last 18. Bowe has nine of those wins.

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