Marino Crowned Harrison’s New K Queen

At the start of the season Ashley Marino was tied with her cousin Taryn Marino for Harrison High School's career strikeouts record at 375. Now playing in her fifth year on varsity it was never a question a of "if" Marino would break her cousin's record but a matter of "when".

In Harrison's season opener, on April 9 against Rye Neck, Marino got the ball from her coach to start the game and she was nothing less than brilliant. It took Marino less then an inning to break the record and after she did so she continued to cruise easily through the game. In 7 innings of work Marino struck out 13 and only allowed one hit as the team cruised to a 4 - 0 victory.

In Harrison's next game against Pelham, Marino become the first girl in the history of the program to amass 400 strikeouts in a career.

"I don't get emotionally involved with the numbers; I just wanted to stay focused on what needed to be done. I knew that I had only a few more strikeouts for the record," said Marino. "I knew it was most likely going to happen in our first game, but I didn't actually realize it happened until afterwards."

Now that she has the strikeout record Marino is within striking distance of several other individual achievements and, even though she got to keep her record breaking ball as a memento, she is only interested in the trophy at the end of the season.

"Coach and I don't really put much emphasis in personal goals," said Marino. "We all share one goal as a team, and that is to win it all. That is what we are focused on every year."

Though she may not be focused on other records, it is worth noting that there are several within her reach, the majority of which are still held by her cousin Taryn. Marino can break the school's records for both wins and shutouts this year. She is only 3 wins away from 50 career victories and she is 11 shut outs away from breaking the school's mark, both of which would break her cousin's records.

One thing that makes these accomplishments so much more special for Marino is that she has thrown nearly every pitch of her life to the same catcher, her friend and varsity teammate, Gigi LoDolce.

"Gigi has been my catcher since we were eight years old and she knows me inside and out," said Marino. "She has played a major role in all of my accomplishments, and it's going to be a little weird seeing someone new back there next year."

"Out on the field Ashley and I know one another better then anyone," said LoDolce. "She is a great pitcher, and I am glad I can be part of all her achievements."

The season is still young but there is a distinct possibility that Marino can break Amanda Gambacorta's single season strikeout record set in 2004 of 155 strikeouts in a season. In her three wins this year, Ashley has fanned 30 batters and at her current rate of rest and strike outs per game average Gambacorta's record appears to be within Marino's reach.

But, if you speak with the senior, you will know that the end of the year will be all about wins and losses not individual numbers. We wish her the best of luck with both.