Female Area Athlete of the Week: Geschwill records 3 no-hitters last week

Kaitlyn Geschwill is unhittable.

No. Really.

Through five games, the Pequot Lakes junior allowed just one hit with 56 strikeouts.

Last week, she tossed three no-hitters. The first was against Park Rapids when she pitched five innings and struck out 10 in an 11-0 win May 3.

Two days later, she pitched four innings of no-hit ball against Staples-Motley. She struck out every batter in a 12-0 win.

She capped off the week with a seven-inning no-hitter against Pierz in a 7-2 win. She struck out 11 and walked five.

Geschwill’s no-hit streak ended May 10 against Crosby-Ironton when she allowed one hit over five innings in an 11-0 win.

Geschwill opened the season with a no-hitter against Pillager April 28. She pitched seven innings and struck out 12 in a 5-0 win.

“It sure makes my job a lot easier,” Pequot Lakes head coach Bret Sergent said. “She’s really dominant and we have a lot of confidence in her and the girls playing behind her have a lot of confidence. We are lucky we have two good pitchers.”

Against Aitkin the next day, she pitched five innings in a 12-1 win. The only was a solo home run in the second inning. She struck out 11.

“We are just playing as a team and always have confidence,” Geschwill said. “We have a good attitude. I have a lot of confidence right now, but it’s a lot of pressure. I know I have my defense behind me, but I have very high expectations and I would like to reach those.”

In 33 innings pitched, Geschwill owns 61 strikeouts. She’s allowed more earned runs, three, than hits, two, so far and her WHIP sits at 0.52 while her ERA is at 0.64. She is 6-0 in six starts.

“My raise ball has helped me out a lot and just hitting my spots,” she said.

Geschwill’s biggest improvement is her increased velocity on her fastball.

“I have a new pitching coach from Willmar and I’ve been working with her a lot in the offseason and she taught me a lot of new and different techniques and mechanics that I can use to help my speed,” she said.

Sergent guesses she’s upped her velocity by about 10 mph on her fastball.

“She’s always had good control and location and had a good knowledge of the game and where to work in the zone, but the big thing is she is stronger and throwing harder,” he said. “She’s bringing it right now.”

Geschwill and senior Morgan Eckes have formed a one-two punch in the circle for the Patriots during doubleheaders. Eckes is also 6-0 and has a 0.58 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 36 innings.

“Morgan and I have definitely gained a very close relationship since eighth grade,” Geschwill said. “Both of us have been on varsity and have had to stick with each other. When I’m playing second base and she’s struggling, I'll call a timeout and go talk to her and make sure she’s settled in.”

Sergent added: “They have a really good working relationship. They cheer for each other. They talk about hitters together. They collaborate a lot and they are a tag team out there and they both believe in each other and will look at each other and make suggestions to each other. It’s fun to see.”

When she’s not dominating in the circle, Geschwill is hitting for a .417 batting average and .540 on-base percentage in 12 games.

“She is a softball player who pitches,” Sergent said. “I think she can be a great second baseman in college. She’s our leadoff hitter and gets on base and has the green light to steal or bunt whenever she wants. She’s an all-around softball player and the real deal.”

She’s tallied 15 hits with one double. She’s stolen 10 bases.

“Being leadoff I have to be very patient,” she said. “And I consider myself a patient person, especially at the plate. I like hitting leadoff and having the mindset of being aggressive on the bases because base running is one of my favorite things to do. I scout out other opponents and see how they are playing and I steal when I’m ready and I try to steal the majority of the time and take advantage of when the ball is in the ground like a passed ball”

Last season as a sophomore, Geschwill went 7-3 in 10 starts with 59.1 innings pitched and 75 strikeouts. She had a 1.08 WHIP and a 3.07 ERA. She hit for a .407 batting average and a .538 on-base percentage with 16 steals, five doubles, a triple and two home runs in 26 games.

“I don’t really have a preference whether I’m pitching or not,” she said. “I love the days I pitch and can set my own tempo. I also love playing second too and cheering Morgan on.”

Geschwill played on the girls’ basketball team for the Patriots that went to state. She was named Mid-State Honorable Mention and averaged 1.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists. Some of her basketball teammates also play softball.

“We have a lot of teamwork,” Geschwill said. “Most of us play basketball together or have played other sports together and so we all have that chemistry with each other and have gained a really good connection.”

Other notable performances:
Softball: Mya DeCent, Crosby-Ironton, went 7-for-11 with two doubles and also had a double, triple and two home runs earlier in the week.
Addi Carr, Wadena-Deer Creek, went 4-5 with a double, triple and three RBIs against Perham and tallied five hits in a doubleheader against Parkers Prairie.
Kiara Olesch, Pierz, went 5-for-7 with five runs, six RBIs and a home run against Milaca.
Track and Field: Ashley Kimman, Pierz, won four events at the C-I Invite and won three events at the Holdingford Invite.

Kaitlyn Geschwill
Year: Junior
School: Pequot Lakes
Sport: Softball
Positions: Pitcher and second base

Highlights: She pitched a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts against Pierz and struck out 12 of 14 batters in a no-hitter against Staples-Motley and pitched a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts against Park Rapids.