The Perfect Game

Walking off the softball field on Tuesday, El Reno pitcher Katie Raines had no clue that she had accomplished something she had never done before in her team’s 12-0 win over Weatherford. That was until her coaches quickly and excitedly told her – she had just pitched a perfect game.

“I had no idea before then,” Raines said. “I didn’t believe them at first. Then, I thought about it, and it sounded about right.”
It was the senior’s first perfect game and it came in her first win of the season. Although the game ended after four inning because of the run rule, it didn’t take away the fact that Raines was unhittable. She pitched 29 strikes, six balls and had her favorite pitch, the curve drop ball, going well.

“I was just concentrating on improving with each batter,” Raines said. “I was so focused on that, I had no idea they weren’t able to get anything.”

Her coaches knew.

I elbowed my assistant and said, ‘Do you know what she’s about to do,’” El Reno coach Lynetta Keller said. “And he said, ‘Shhh, don’t jinx her.’ It was relief that last batter.”

It was a new experience for Keller as well.

That was the first one I had ever coached in my 13 years,” Keller said. “It was awesome. Her teammates didn’t know either. I told them, ‘Do you realize what your pitcher just did for you.’”
They didn’t until after the game. Then, the excitement and realization of what Raines did became apparent.

“It’s exciting,” Raines said. “It’s a very big accomplishment for me. I always dream of doing my best. That was my best.”