Armed and dangerous

Mike Sciacca

When you meet Krystal Heinle, you first take notice of her easy-going

smile.

When you see her play on the softball diamond, you definitely take

notice of her easy-throwing arm.

The Marina High pitcher is a force on the mound. Always has been,

and her foray into high school softball last year was heralded by her

being named the Sunset League’s Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the

Year at the conclusion of the 2003 season.

“I knew the minute I saw Krystal throw a ball that she was going

to be an impact player, let alone throw a pitch,” Marina Coach Shelly

Luth said. “She did a fantastic job as a freshman in the Sunset

League.

“It doesn’t happen very often that a freshman receives Pitcher of

the Year and Rookie of the Year all at the same time. It was nice to

see that our league coaches recognized her accomplishments, too.”

Now a sophomore, the right-hander is not letting up on that

momentum.

Heinle started on the mound Tuesday at Esperanza in the league

opener for both schools. In 10 appearances leading up to Tuesday’s

game, she had thrown 76 innings and gave up just 24 hits, 12 runs --

eight of which were earned -- walked 12, struck out 91 of the 249

batters she faced, and compiled an ERA of 0.74.

Heinle has a repertoire of qualities that makes her one of the top

pitchers in the county.

“Her love for the game is No. 1,” Luth said. “Krystal is

extra-special because she loves to play and she enjoys all aspects of

softball. Her approach is intense and she is a gamer.

“She shows up every day, trying to get better and win, and has a

great attitude along with it.”

Heinle has been playing softball for much of her young life, with

seven years in the sport helping her hone her pitching craft.

She plays travel ball in the off-season, and knows most of the

girls she goes up against in the prep game.

“We all know each other and we are friends off the field,” she

said. “But once we’re on the field, we all want to win.”

And win Heinle has.

She’s notched six victories against a tough schedule this year,

despite the inability of Marina’s offense to put runs on the

scoreboard to back her pitching efforts.

She routinely gets double-digits in strikeouts each game and lists

her fastball as the best pitch in her arsenal.

“I just try to play my game when I go out there,” she said,

motioning to the pitcher’s mound, during a recent Marina practice. “I

just try to stay focused on each batter, stay within my game and in

control. It’s all about control.”

That drive within is what makes her standout.

“I think what separates Krystal from many other great players is

her passion for the game,” Luth said. “She loves to play and she

plays hard. She has the confidence of a much older player and that

helps her take the presence on the mound.

“Her softball talent goes without saying and she definitely is one

of the best players in the county. She is good-natured, fun and we

laugh all the time. She is so sincere to all and has everyone’s best

interest at heart. The kids on our team respect her in many ways, as

a person, pitcher, hitter and teammate.”

When asked what she guns for each game she pitches, Heinle offers

a coy, yet certain, response.

And, of course, she does it with a smile.

“To strike out every batter I face,” she beamed.