Julia Miller already twice perfect for New Philadelphia softball
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (April 21, 2022) – It’s barely a month into the spring sports season and New Philadelphia softball pitcher Julia Miller is already showing the form that has earned the senior an offer from the Ohio State University.
Coach john Dupke says among Miller’s four shut-out wins, she has a no-hitter and two perfect games – no runs, no hits, no walks, no errors.
“That in itself is something you don’t see every day. It’s pretty rare, but to have two of them already,” Dupke said. “Honestly, she probably could have had another one, but we were trying to save her arm a little early in the season there. I think she had a perfect through three innings against Marietta when we pulled her.
“We’re going to be playing a lot of ball here over the next month and more opportunities for her to shine and help her team.”
Even Miller’s losses can be phenomenal. In one, she pitched nine innings – games are usually seven – striking out 23 batters and giving up just one hit.
Dupke says Miller’s pitches are fast, lively, and accurate.
“It just creates a lethal combination of speed and movement,” Dupke said. “Her riseball is as good as I’ve seen, and I’ve been around softball a long time. And she can do it in different areas. Typically you hear riseball and you think in the upper zone, but she can throw that riseball low, also. It’s the location with the speed that makes her deadly.”
Miller has a 7-2 record after pitching both halves of double-header sweep of wheeling park Tuesday and in another win over Marietta Wednesday. Dupke says she is just getting started. The weather has canceled or postponed seven games so far.
The season started rough, with four straight losses, but New Philadelphia is now on a nine-game winning streak.
“Along with her dominant pitching, now we’re starting to add some offense to it,” said Dupke, who is looking forward to better weather and a consistent schedule. “Offense is a tempo thing, it’s a flow thing. Once we get into that flow where we’re playing nightly, I think our offense is going to take off and really help support her. It’s just exciting.”
Gundy Day
The softball team is part of Gundy Day April 23 at several locations around Tuscora Park.
The Lady Quakers have a game at 11 a.m. against Strasburg, the top-ranked team in division four.
New Philadelphia baseball plays at the same time against Canton McKinley.
The JV teams are in action after that.
The Gundy Invitational track meet starts at Quaker Stadium at 10 a.m.
The day starts with the Quaker Club Pancake Breakfast from seven to 11.