Kaitlynn Szczepanski, All-Tidewater softball player of the year

In six postseason victories on the road to the Group AAA state softball title, Great Bridge’s Kaitlynn Szczepanski pitched four shutouts, no-hit 2008 state runner-up Battlefield, yielded two earned runs and struck out 55 batters .

As a hitter, she went 9 for 22, with 10 RBIs, including the decisive one in four games.

The senior, who throws lefthanded and bats righthanded, shut down six teams that had 120 victories between them.

“She controlled us the entire game by changing speeds so well and mixing her pitches,” Loudoun Valley coach Joe Spicer said after his team’s 1-0 loss to Great Bridge in the state title game. “I knew when she no-hit Battlefield in the quarterfinals, she was the real deal.”

That successful run solidified Szczepanski’s selection as the All-Tidewater Player of the Year. The surge also caused Georgia Southern coach Maggie Johnson, who recruited Szczepanski as an outfielder, to plan on using her as a pitcher as well.

Hickory coach Ryan Wieck, whose team won the 2008 state title, acknowledged the Great Bridge ace’s emergence in her first season as strictly a pitcher.

“Kaitlynn is a very imposing figure with the wicked combination of size, speed and intelligence,” Wieck said.

Szczepanski’s best weapons were the riseball, changeup and drop. Location was her forte, as she was equally adept at jamming hitters inside or going up or down and away.

“She never got flustered no matter what the situation,” said Great Bridge catcher Lauren Ellington .

Szczepanski also benefitted from near-perfect defensive support. She committed the only two errors the Wildcats made in the final six games.

“I couldn’t have asked any more from Kaitlynn,” Great Bridge coach Kirk Clayton said. “Her overall athleticism enabled her to make quick transitions from the infield to the outfield and pitching. Her attitude, work ethic and leadership were exceptional. She’s a great kid and one of the best to play here.”

Mike Keech, (757) 446-2366 mike.keech@pilotonline.com