Prep Softball Pitcher’s Perfect Streak Ends at 5

Tracy Leyden’s single in the fourth inning Thursday snapped prep softball pitcher Lana Davis’ streak of perfect games at five, a national record.

“The way it ended was the way I wanted it to end--on a hit,” Davis, 17, said after Leyden singled to lead off the fourth inning of a state tournament quarterfinal game.

Davis’ team, Casey-Westfield High went on to defeat Harvard High 8-1 to advance to the semifinal round. Davis ran her record to 26-0, offsetting three hits with 13 strikeouts.

Davis’ run of perfection began in the first game of the tournament and stretched across 32 consecutive innings and 99 batters, including 71 strikeouts.

According to the National Federation of State High School Assns., only one softball pitcher had ever thrown consecutive perfect games before the 1989 season: Debby Day of Burbank. Calif.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Davis said of the streak. “It has been pretty hectic the last few days.”