By John Hepokoski
UWRF Sports Information

Pitching decides games and the Falcon softball team has sophomore Brittany Rathbun as a top performer on the mound for the 2006 season.

At eight years old with a tennis ball and a glove, Rathbun began her softball career by playing catch off the garage with her dad. This preparation prepared Rathbun for her first fast-pitch softball game four years later.

Rathbun grew up with her parents, Rick and Sue; and her sister Marissa who is 18.

Her dad is her biggest influence when it comes to sports. "My dad was a big athlete in high school and college. To be honest, without my sister and my involvement in sports, my parents would have troubles with keeping busy; they devote their lives to us and our sporting events."

In high school Rathbun also played basketball. She played every position on the floor from center to guard.

After high school, Rathbun made the jump to River Falls.

"First and foremost I came for softball," said Rathbun. "I got to know (Coach) Faye (Perkins) and the team really well at camps and simply loved the atmosphere."

As a freshman for the Falcons in 2005, Rathbun was named Co-Most Improved Player and earned honorable mention to the all-WIAC team. She finished the year with a 5-6 record to go along with four saves. The four saves were a Falcon single season record. Rathbun recorded an impressive 2.57 ERA in 90 innings. She was clutch in all of her 34 games played and only allowed hitters to bat .251 against her. Rathbun also showed poise at the plate where she batted .387 with seven RBI and three doubles.

"Brittany is a solid asset to our team, we look for her to throw in some big games this season and play a key role," said Perkins about Rathbun who is a Rochester, Minn., native. She attended Mayo High School.

This season Rathbun has a 2-3 record and leads the team in a 1.22 ERA. In 12 appearances she has recorded 37 strikeouts, allowed only 27 hits and opponents have batted only .172 against her. She was named the team's Pitcher of the Week on March 27. She threw 12.1 innings and had a 0.57 ERA in three appearances. She recorded her third save of the season, and seventh of her career, in the team's 4-0 win over Mt. Mercy. She is the school's all-time leader in saves.

She started the season with a bang when she threw a no-hitter in the team's 4-0 win over Carleton on March 1 at the Rosemount Dome. Rathbun faced 22 batters, just one over the minimum. She set down the first nine batters she faced before walking the lead off batter in the fourth. The only other batter to reach base came in the seventh on an error and she was thrown out trying to steal. Rathbun, who picked up a save in the first game of the twin bill, struck out seven. Rathbun did not allow any Carleton batters to hit the ball to the outfield. She also combined with Ashley Bertrand to throw a second no-hitter in a 4-0 win over Franklin & Marshall at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida on March 15. Rathbun pitched the final three innings and faced just 10 hitters.

Rathbun also hits well, although she has struggled at the plate so far this season. She has a .194 average with seven hits, including one double. She has two RBI and scored four runs.

Aside from her softball, Rathbun was named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and made the Dean's List.

Rathbun's team goal is winning the WIAC crown. For an individual goal she looks to improve her performance at the plate.

Rathbun enjoys rollerblading, hanging out with friends, and going to Twins games in her spare time.

Rathbun is majoring in marketing communications and looks to graduate in 2008.