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STRIKEOUT CAPTIAL: USA
By Clyde Wooldridge
(Press Release 06-12-06)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

WILBURTON – Leading the nation in strikeouts is a magnificent accomplishment. Having two players from the same school in softball and baseball as the national leaders is rare. When both players are from the same high school, it is almost unheard of.

Marg Johnson, sophomore transfer, finished 33-3 on the season for the Lady Mountaineers while helping her team to a trip to the National Tournament. Blake King helped the Mountaineers to a successful season and finished 9-3 personally on the mound. Both pitchers led the nation in strikeouts, while both graduated from Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa.

Johnson, a transfer from Oklahoma State, dominated during the entire season, both on the mound and at the plate. Although she made a name for herself, and was selected to the first team All-American squad, she was also the best hitter on the team. As a hitter alone, her stats were good enough for All-American honors; .416 batting average, 18 homeruns, 69 runs batted in.

However, her pitching record was even more impressive. Not only a 33-3 won-loss record, but she also led the nation with 475 strikeouts, a new national record, breaking the old mark of 451. Johnson also led the nation in strikeouts per inning at 1.95.

King came in to Eastern this past fall as a freshmen. The 6-1, 205-pound fire-baller, posted a 9-3 record for the Mountaineers in the spring. His 1.05 ERA ranked him seventh in the country among JUCO pitchers. In 13 starts, King completed six games, including two shutouts and one combined shutout.

Arguably, his best performance of the season was in Region II action against Rose State. He dominated on the mound with 15 strikeouts, while allowing only two hits in the complete game shutout. He also turned in several other double-digit strikeout games and three one-hit complete games.

Johnson plans to attend Eastern again this fall, completing her requiring for graduation, but is high on the Division I recruiting list. The St. Louis Cardinals drafted King in the 44th round. He signed with them in early June. The right-hander was selected to the NJCAA All-American Second team, while making All-Region and the first team for the South Central District.

“Both players will be missed sorely by Eastern,” said athletic director Win Case. “Rarely do you get two pitchers of this quality from the same high school.”