Josh Falcone – General Assignment Reporter –
Southern Owls Freshman pitcher, Jessica Van Alphen, has helped the Owls succeed on field this season, which was Van Alphen’s first with the team.
Before joining the Owls, Van Alphen attended Ichabod Crane High School in Columbia County, New York. As a member of the Riders softball team Van Alphen was team captain her junior and senior years. Van Alphen was also named the team’s Most Valuable Player during her junior year.
In her first start this year Van Alphen got a 5-4 win against Dominican College in the second game of a doubleheader March 7 in Clermont, FL. Van Alphen went seven innings, and gave up four runs, one earned on six hits.
Van Alphen had four walks and five strikeouts in the game as well.
Van Alphen finished the 2013 season 7-4 with 84 strikeouts.
Van Alphen’s solid performance on the mound has continued throughout the season.
In the second game of the Owls doubleheader home opener March 15 against Stonehill College Van Alphen pitched a complete game, getting the win 7-1. She allowed one earned run on five hits, walking two and finishing the game with nine strikeouts.
On March 22 Van Alphen pitched her way to an 8-0 win against Assumption College in six innings of work. Van Alphen allowed no runs on two hits, while only giving up one walk. She also had three strikeouts in the game.
In a game against Queens College on March 29, Van Alphen pitched five innings and got the 5-4 win against the Knights in a game that went 10 innings in which she gave up only one run, which was unearned.
Van Alphen surrendered two hits, and two walks while striking out three. In a game against Le Moyne on April 20, Van Alphen had 10 strikeouts.
Last Wednesday in key division game against Pace University, Van Alphen came out on top 2-1 in a pitchers duel.
Van Alphen pitched seven innings allowing the one run while only giving up three hits, with four walks and five strikeouts. Van Alphen also had three 1-2-3 innings against Pace and two double plays that were vital to solidify the win.
This past Saturday Van Alphen pitched a complete game getting the win against American International College 12-2. Van Alphen gave up only two hits against the Yellow Jackets in addition to four strikeouts and no walks.
Senior Alyssa Downs said Van Alphen has been a huge talent to the Owls this season.
“She has been a great asset to the team,” Downs said. “She came into this season a freshman pitcher with a veteran group of girls and she has really stepped up and done her job on the field.”
Downs said Van Alphen’s commitment and support to the team isn’t strictly on display when she is only out on the field pitching, but that she is constantly supporting her teammates at all times.
“She is a great teammate,” Downs said, “always cheering and staying positive.”
Van Alphen has accumulated a 7-4 record thus far in the 2013 season with a 2.93 ERA, 84 strikeouts and even recorded a save for the Owls.
She will look to continue her strong play in the Northeast-10 Conference tournament this week.
