KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Batters facing Kutztown University softball pitcher Katlin Arbogast might find their time more useful if they just went back to the dugout and picked up a book.

That’s what Arbogast does in her spare time to keep busy.

When she’s not reading, she’s quickly paging through lineups at the pace of a teenager with a newly released Harry Potter novel.

KU Records Held By Arbogast Wins GP GS CG 73 117 92 70 SO IP Saves Ks 25 652 6 748

As a junior, Arbogast is KU’s all-time leader in strikeouts with 748. To make things more interesting, the two-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Pitcher of the Year broke the record as a sophomore.

“It’s just an honor,” she said as her teammates practiced with their mind set on Friday’s Game 1 of the NCAA Division II Super Regionals against Lock Haven. “I’ve worked very hard and I guess it shows. Plus, I have had my team behind me to help me. It’s always good to have a solid base around you.”

That solid base has won three straight PSAC East titles and posted back-to-back-to-back 40-win seasons. The Golden Bears, under 22-year coach Judy Lawes, set a school record with 48 wins last season, and they are two away from tying that record.

“I was just happy to be a part of it and help out as much as I can,” Arbogast said. “It’s been a blast and I’ve had a lot of fun.”

Her opponents can’t say they feel the same.

Arbogast has been dominant for three years and now owns every KU record in the book except ERA — and even that record is within her reach.

She’s tied for second, and with another year left, she can easily drop her career 1.62 ERA below Stacy Engleman’s 1.55 (1990-93).

The junior right-hander has struck out 748 batters in 652 innings. She’s 73-21 overall in 92 starts and 117 appearances. She’s had 25 shutouts and 70 complete-game performances. She’s also picked up six saves.

All of those are KU career records.

This season, she pitched less innings with the development of sophomore pitcher Mary Hoch, who collected 17 wins this season.

Together the two pitchers made easy work of the PSAC East schedule as the pair was named to the All-PSAC East first team.

“It’s very great to have Mary on the team,” Arbogast said, “because it gives the other teams something different to look at. I have great movement on my pitches and Mary has the speed because she throws fast and hard. We complement each other really well. It keeps opponents off-balance.”

Arbogast also believes that the addition of Hoch and KU’s third starter Monica Glomb, who pitched a complete-game shutout on Sunday to advance the Golden Bears to the Super Regional, has taken some of the pressure off of her.

“It’s great having other pitchers to depend on,” Arbogast said. “There is less pressure when you know there are people behind you who can help you if you get into trouble.”

And in the story of Katlin Arbogast, trouble is not a common theme.

She’s been able to write herself out of most jams she’s been in over the last three years.

That’s why she’s been named the PSAC East’s top pitcher twice in her career.

Is a third on the way?

Well, the book hasn’t closed on that. It certainly could be part of her final chapter next season.

you are visitor number since May 13, 2009