This Date In UL Softball History: February 27
A former UL softball player accomplished one of her many outstanding feats on this day in Ragin' Cajun softball history.
On this date, February 27, 2004, the great Brooke Mitchell pitched a no-hitter to help the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns defeat Nevada, 2-1.
The no-hitter, one of many in a short timespan for Mitchell, one of the best in school history, took place at the Cowgirl Classic in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Mitchell, who is now Brooke Garrity, married for more than a decade, tied the school record for strikeouts with 16 (current UL pitcher Summer Ellyson now has the record of 20), the second time in 2004 that she tied the record, and recorded her third complete-game no-hitter within a 9-day timespan.
The previous week, Mitchell no-hit both Nicholls St. and Missouri.
Both teams got their runs in the first inning as Mitchell and Nevada starter Judith van Kampen locked up in an old fashioned pitcher's duel, stifling hitters the rest of the way.
Tiffany Hebert led off the game with a popup that was dropped in fair territory by Nevada catcher Lindsey Hall.
Holly Tankersley made the Wolfpack pay on the very next at bat when she ripped a home run a good 40 feet over the left centerfield wall, giving Louisiana a 2-0 lead.
Nevada's lone run came in lieu of a slow start in the circle by Mitchell. A junior in 2005, Mitchell walked three Nevada hitters in the first inning, with the final one bringing home a run.
Once Mitchell settled into her groove however, she was almost unhittable, which at times she often was, and it was history for Nevada.
The Pasadena, Texas, native struck out 13 batters over the final six innings including striking out the side in the seventh to complete the no-hitter.
Nevada's lone baserunner the rest of the way came in the second on a walk, before Mitchell retired the next 15 batters in order.
No-hitters were not uncommon for Mitchell. She threw 10 in her fantastic career, while going 119-27 with a career 1.09 ERA, to go along with 1,309 strikeouts over 908.2 innings pitched.
A two-time Academic All-American and, 3-time Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year, and 2010 UL Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Mitchell finished 2004 with an overall record of 45-5, to go along with a microscopic 0.85 ERA, while being tabbed an NFCA All-American.