Ellington freshman softball pitcher Fisher making an immediate impact

May 12—ELLINGTON — The start to Camryn Fisher's high school softball career is one the Ellington High pitcher would like to forget.

The freshman right-hander took the loss in her first game with the Knights.

"That definitely shook me a little bit," Fisher said. "I don't know if that was nerves, but it was pretty nerve-racking."

Since then, it's been a season to remember for Fisher. She hasn't lost a game since that start, and neither has her team.

"We've definitely learned from that," Fisher said. "We've definitely worked on what we didn't do well in that game. We've reflected on that and done better."

Fisher fell in love with softball after her dad signed her up to play around the time she was 7.

As she prepped for her first high school season, Fisher had mixed emotions.

"I was definitely nervous," she said. "But I knew I had a good team behind me. They had my back. I knew almost every girl, so I was very comfortable."

Knights coach Tom Gordon knew he wanted Fisher to be his number one option in the circle from the beginning.

"I feel confident with her," Gordon said. "When you get to play the bigger teams and the better teams, you have to have a pitcher that can keep you in those 0-0 games in the fifth, sixth inning. She's more than capable of doing that."

Fisher stumbled in her first start, a 4-3 loss in eight innings at Haddam-Killingworth April 2. Despite the result, Fisher called the loss her breakout game of the season.

"She reacted well after that loss," Gordon said. "Hopefully there's not too many more of those upcoming soon."

Fisher has posted an 8-1 record and a 0.89 ERA for the Knights (14-1). She has 141 strikeouts in 64 innings and is averaging 15.4 strikeouts per seven innings.

When asked if she thought she'd have such an immediate impact on the team, Fisher chuckled and said no.

"But I've definitely put in a good amount of work, and I have a great team," she added.

Fisher said repetition at practice and keeping her emotions in check during games have been the keys to her success this season.

"I'm stone-faced on the mound," she said. "I try not to show as much emotion. People will come up to talk to me in between my pitches and just calm me down. It works."

Gordon has been impressed with Fisher all season, saying she combines a competitive fire with an icy demeanor.

"She's the best (pitcher) that I've had as a freshman, there's no question," Gordon said. "I've had other kids come in like (Ariana) DiCioccio, who was throwing in the 60s when she was a freshman and was a tremendous player in her own right. But she had really peaked already.

"With Camryn, I believe she's going to get even better as each year goes on because she works so hard."

That work ethic has Gordon excited for Fisher's career after she leaves Ellington High as well.

"I'd be shocked if she's not playing D1 in college," Gordon said. "She's got the potential to play big-time D1. ... If she keeps progressing the way that she is, the sky is the limit."

Fisher only pitched two innings in Ellington's 8-1 win over the East Windsor/SMSA co-op Wednesday, leaving due to soreness in her pitching arm. She allowed a run, walked a batter and struck out six. Fisher said she felt fine after the game.

"You could see she was struggling a little bit, and she didn't want to come out of the game," Gordon said. "But I'd rather be safe than sorry with a pitcher."

The Knights have five games left this season, which they will play in a six-day span next week.

Fisher hopes the Knights can use those games to clean up little areas of weakness.

"Just communicating and hyping up the team," she said. "I definitely need to work on some things, but I think it's more about just all-around being there for each other. That would definitely make an impact."

And she hopes the ending to the season will be unforgettable.

"I'm astonished," Fisher said regarding Ellington's success so far. "It's amazing. I cannot wait for the rest of the season."

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