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Missouri softball pitcher Stephanie Falk
will leave a huge void when she completes her collegiate career this month. Mark Schiefelbein photo |
Get her outside the softball diamond and Falk turns into a different person, opening up to teammates, sharing jokes with friends. She is so kindhearted that those closest to her call her "princess."
But when Falk is on the mound, it’s business as usual. Even thinking about Senior Day, her final home game against Kansas tomorrow, Falk doesn’t get her too riled up.
"It’s kind of a close to your entire career, 14 years of my life," said Falk, ranked in the top three of many career categories at Missouri. "At the university it will be the last time I’ll play here, so I think it’s special. My parents will be out here, which will be nice. One last day I guess."
Not the type of reaction you’d expect from the team’s leader for four years running, but Falk’s unpredictability is what has made her one of the Big 12’s most dominant pitchers.
Her repertoire includes a drop, changeup, screwball and curveball. Of the four pitches, it’s her changeup that is regarded by many as the best in the conference.
"It’s the best changeup I’ve ever seen," said Mary McGrane, Falk’s catcher for the past three years. "She’s the only pitcher I’ve seen that could throw three changeups in a row and still get a batter. It’s just that good."
Falk’s career numbers are impressive. She is currently fourth in the Big 12 with an ERA of 1.24, fourth in wins with 22, third in strikeouts with 184 and second in complete games with 30.
At Missouri she is the all-time appearance leader with 172 and starts with 140. She is second in career wins with 86 and career strikeouts with 854, and third in career shutouts with 31.
But since the only competitive team the Tigers fielded in Falk’s four years was in 1999, when Missouri reached the NCAA Regional Tournament with a 38-19 record, she is also the team’s all-time leader in loses with 61.
Tomorrow she could break the Tiger record for innings pitched (989) if she pitches six innings. To top it all off, she is also an outstanding student, earning Academic All-Big 12 in each of her four seasons.
Falk is one year away from completing a master’s degree in physical therapy, one of the most demanding majors among Missouri student athletes. Despite the rigors of her schoolwork and her leadership role on the team, Falk has always been able to keep her head high and not fold under pressure.
"Finding a balance got a little bit tricky, especially starting the physical therapy program last year," Falk said. "It’s a lot of sacrifice and not a lot of free time at all. But it’s worthwhile in the end."
Senior Day also marks the final home game for fellow senior Karen Williams, the team’s leadoff hitter, whose .439 batting average ranks ninth in the nation. The two became much closer friends during the course of this season since they were the only two remaining players out of the four freshmen who played in 1998. Williams, who is from Michigan, found a common bond with Falk since they both came to Missouri from far out-of-state. She has been in awe of Falk’s ability to play at such a high level under her circumstances.
"I’ve never seen Stephanie crack under pressure, not once," Williams said. "Stephanie, she’s a very strong person, you would never see pressure get to her."
For coach Jay Miller, it marks another senior sendoff in his 14 years with the Tigers.
"Well I wish I had another four years with her," Miller said. "Ever since she was a freshman she’s carried us. So obviously you hate to see players like that leave, not only on the field, off the field, in the classroom and as a player. She’s the kind of kid you wish you had 15 kids like that - that had the same kind of desire, work ethic and commitment.
"She’s right up there with the best kids we’ve had and we’ve had some great pitchers."
Reach José Alfredo Flores at (573) 815-1780 or sports@tribmail.com