Texas high school pitcher K's 22 in a game

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour
Follow @NHSCARadioShow

It took Ferris High School (Texas) pitcher Evan Pontley 97 pitches to strike-out 22 batters earlier this week, while throwing a complete game no-hitter in a game against Mabank.  Not bad, considering there's usually only 21 outs in a seven inning game.

Pontley, according to the Dallas Morning News, was able to get the extra "K" after a dropped third strike.  In fact, after the first inning, the Dallas Morning News reports that Pontley and Ferris trailed 2-0 Mabank High after dropped third strikes and throwing errors.  Ferris eventually fought back, winning 13-3.

Pontley is now third on the all-time list for strikeouts in a game.  Brett Jennings of Lingleville High School in Texas holds the record with 24.  Five pitchers have struck-out 23 in a game, according to the National Federation of High School Associations' record book.  Pontley joins a list ten other pitchers with 22 K's in a game.

Hard to believe, but Jennings set the national record in 1986 in a 6-3 loss.