Hempfield grad Sowers elevates herself among top Division II pitchers in nation

A breakthrough season called for an encore, but Callie Sowers didn’t rest on her laurels or her repertoire to greet the curtain call at Bloomsburg.

No, the ace softball pitcher went back into the lab in the offseason.

“Last season was a stepping stone for me and a platform to build upon,” Sowers said. “I knew I needed to make some changes to elevate my game, so I focused on making my pitches better as well as adding some. I focused on changing speeds and locations and building a sequence against batters. “

The hard-throwing junior right-hander out of Hempfield, who was clocked at 67 mph the last time she was lined up with a radar gun, has taken her place among the elite arms in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Her numbers tell the story: 12-3 record, 0.98 ERA, 122 strikeouts in 100¹⁄₃ innings.

Assurance in her mindset has allowed Sowers to shift to an even higher gear.

“My approach is all about being mentally tough and staying focused, especially during crucial moments in games,” she said. “I’ve learned that the mental aspect of the game is just as important as the physical, if not more so. I’ve also learned to trust myself and my abilities, knowing that I have put in the work and preparation to succeed. As well as trusting my defense.”

As an aside to her command in the conference, Sowers is on a national watch list for the Tucci/NFCA Division II Pitcher of the Year.

Teams are hitting just .180 against Sowers, who has a conference-best 14 complete games, three shutouts and just 13 walks for the Huskies (17-10, 6-4 PSAC East).

Sowers went 17-16 last year with a 2.85 ERA and a league-leading 259 strikeouts in 209 innings.

She said having so much success as a freshman proved she was ready to pitch in the PSAC.

“It was a confidence booster, but it also taught me the importance of consistency and perseverance,” Sowers said. “Every game is an opportunity to prove myself, and I’m determined to show what I’m capable of this season.”

Specifically, Sowers said she has developed pre-game routines that help her focus: breathing properly and focusing on the task at hand.

“I’ve also learned to embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth, rather than letting them shake my confidence,” she said. “My coaches have been amazing and show so much support for me and have always believed in me. My teammates have also been a huge source of support, pushing me to be my best every day.

“I am confident in myself, my team and my coaches. I am a captain this year, and being able to motivate and lead my team has translated into my play.”

Sowers had back-to-back 16-strikeout games this season and has shown control with only one wild pitch.

A steady increase in velocity has paired well with a more diverse arsenal of pitches.

“I’ve always had speed. It’s one of my strong suits,” she said. “But being able to locate and spin with speed has made me more successful.”

And speaking of excellent freshman seasons, Latrobe grad Josie Straigis is having one for the Huskies.

Straigis was leading the team in batting average (.362), OPS (1.010), slugging (.623), home runs (4) and RBIs (24) through 22 games played.

Junior Emma Little is another local player on the team, who is often Sowers’ catcher.

She is recovering from an MCL sprain and has appeared in only 13 games.

Freshman Sarah Yamrick, who played at Penn-Trafford before moving to Fort Myers, Fla., where she played at Bishop Verot, had a .342 average and 12 RBIs for the Huskies.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been seeing my team and I grow and improve alongside each other,” Sowers said. “We’ve become a tighter unit, supporting each other through the ups and downs of the season. Having their support has been invaluable, and I know that together, we can achieve great things.”