Former GHS hurler sets single-season and single-game strikeout
mark at Canisius College
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Gilroy High softball thrived under the dominance of former ace hurler Andrea Bunten for four glorious seasons until the right-hander took her show on the road to Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.
And Bunten did not just slip into anonymity in the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference. Instead, the 2001 GHS graduate has enjoyed even more success on the hill.
The junior starter shattered the Golden Griffins’ single-game strikeout record with 17 whiffs in a 3-2 victory over Rider on May 2. Bunten then followed with 12 strikeouts in a 7-0 win over St. Bonaventure in the first game of a May 4 double-header.
Bunten also became the college’s single-season strikeout leader, and now has 185 Ks this year – surpassing the previous mark set by former Griff Michelle Corrigan.
The crafty pitcher, who has a team-high 12 wins this season, is also ranked ninth in the nation for Division I softball with 9.7 strikeouts per seven innings pitched.
In her last five outings, Bunten has given up five earned runs on 10 hits, while fanning 40 in 32 innings of work.
The garlic city-native pitched both games of a May 9 double-header against Niagra. In the opening 1-0 loss, Bunten stuck out 11 and allowed only one earned run on two hits. In the 5-1 game two win, she went seven strong innings, striking out seven and again allowing only one earned run on two hits.
The four-year letter-winner at Gilroy High started her collegiate career in 2002, making 18 appearances and starting three games. She posted a 5-1 record with a 1.60 earned-run-average. Bunten, whose first career win can Feb. 24 against Towson College, tied the school record with six saves and held opposing batters to a .178 batting average.
In her sophomore season, Bunten took over as the Griffs’ No. 1 pitcher, finishing with a team-high eight wins. She led the team in complete games (12) and strikeouts (148) in 130 innings pitched with four 10-strikeout performances.
At Gilroy High, Bunten was a first-team All-League hurler in her junior and senior seasons. The three-sport athlete also lettered in volleyball and basketball. Her father, Byron Bunten, remains an assistant softball coach at Gilroy High.
