17-Year-Old Hazell Throws First Complete Game for St. Clair Softball

Freshman pitcher strikes out eight, allows one hit over final six innings

St. Clair's 17-year-old freshman pitcher Hazell threw her first complete game Sunday afternoon, going the full seven innings and striking out eight while allowing just two runs on four hits against the Mountaineers.

The Mountaineers scored both their runs in the first inning on three hits. From there, Hazell allowed only one more hit the rest of the way.

"In the short span of time, she's really developed a lot. Just in a few weeks, Kam's really come into her own," head coach Dwayne Dawson told PowerplayWindsor.com. "She's been able to stretch out some of her outings and get a lot of outs for us. It's really impressive."

Dawson says having a pitcher who can go the distance matters for the whole staff. "When you can stretch out your pitching staff and get lots of innings from your pitchers, it lets the other pitchers rest. We're fortunate to have five pitchers on our staff this year, but she's right at the top of our list."

At 17, Hazell is facing college hitters four and five years older than her, something Dawson says hasn't rattled her. "She's an experienced pitcher. She's pitched all of her life, and she's pitched in some big situations. Nobody likes to give up hits, but it doesn't bother her. She gets the ball and she wants to throw it again. She's very competitive that way."

Facing older, experienced college hitters has meant adjusting her mindset one pitch at a time. "I have to remember that these are college players. If I make a mistake, then I've got to let it go." Hazell told PowerplayWindsor.com

Hazell came up through Chatham minor softball before spending the last two years with the Woodstock Nationals at the Tier 1 level. She says she considered playing in the U.S. but chose to stay close to home. "I don't want to leave home," she said, though St. Clair is still about an hour away. She lives in residence with her best friend and former high school teammate Sophie Wilkins, who plays for St. Clair's women's basketball team.