Former Honesdale softball star pitches perfect game for Marywood

SCRANTON — When last we checked in with Marissa Gregory, she was just starting to settle in as the newest member of Marywood University’s softball team.

The former Honesdale High School star had transferred from Eastern after a rocky first semester far from home. And, as it turned out, it didn’t take the flame-throwing righty long to become the ace of Marywood’s pitching staff.

On Wednesday afternoon, Gregory strode to the circle and authored a mound masterpiece. She utterly dominated top-ranked Centenary in the opening game of a doubleheader, throwing only the second perfect game in Marywood history and leading the Pacers to a 3-0 victory.

“I didn’t know until the sixth inning that I was throwing a no-hitter,” Marissa said. “And I didn’t realize at all that it was a perfect game. I was just trying to stay calm and continue to pitch well.“

According to Head Coach John Butash, Gregory’s arrival on the scene is nothing short of a game-changer.

“Marissa has made a seamless transition to college softball,” the veteran skipper said. “She is a fierce competitor who thrives on pressure situations.”

Centenary had been all alone atop the Atlantic East Conference standings coming into the day, but Gregory’s dominant effort helped knock the Cyclones off their perch.

Marywood is now 15-7 on the season and 4-2 in league action. The Pacers will be back on the diamond Saturday for a twinbill versus Gwynedd Mercy.

First pitch for the opener is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Temple University-Ambler campus.

Diamond history

Gregory enjoyed a record-breaking high school softball career at Honesdale.

She re-wrote the Lady Hornet record book, earning multiple All-Star and All-Regional accolades. As a freshman phenom, she led Coach Dave Patrisso’s team all the way to the PIAA state semifinals.

“Marissa is definitely one of the best who’s ever played here at Honesdale,” the veteran skipper said at the end of her senior season. “It’s been a pleasure coaching her and I know she’s going to accomplish big things at the collegiate level.”

It certainly didn’t take long for those words to become prophetic. After a bit of a slow start, Gregory has emerged as one of the top twirlers in the entire Atlantic East.

Through 11 starts, Gregory has posted a dazzling 9-1 record. She currently boasts an ERA of 2.98 and a 1.13 WHIP. In addition, she’s piled up 58 strikeouts while issuing just 14 walks across 60 innings.

“I think the season is going very well,” Marissa said. “I’m extremely happy with how I’m pitching. We’re in first place and we have six conference games left. I’m hoping we can get the top seed and then host some playoff games.”

Gregory helped Marywood take an important first step toward that goal by unseating Centenary on Wednesday, completely shutting down a potent Cyclones offense in Game 1 of a key doubleheader.

The fireballing freshman sports a devastating array of pitches in her arsenal. However, on this particular day she relied almost exclusively on her riseball and screwball.

“Every inning was just three-up and three-down,” Marissa said. “I didn’t want to think about things too much. I know when you think about something that’s going well, sometimes you can get in your head and I didn’t want that to happen.”

Gregory used pinpoint control and command in the early innings as her confidence began to soar. By the time the finish line was in sight, Centenary batters simply had no chance.

Gregory’s final stat line: 7 innings pitched, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 walks, 9 strikeouts. She recorded the game’s final out on a weak comebacker and the celebration was on.

“It was so exciting!” Marissa exclaimed. “I’ve thrown no-hitters in high school and travel ball, but this was my first-ever perfect game. It's an incredible feeling."

Onward and upward

Heading into this weekend’s action, Marywood will enjoy a one-game lead in the Atlantic East Conference.

Centenary is in second place, but Cabrini, Gwynedd-Mercy and Mercyhurst all remain within striking distance.

“I’m very excited about this team,” Marissa said. “I think we definitely have the potential to qualify for the NCAA tournament.”

In addition to Saturday’s double dip with Gwynedd-Mercy, the Pacers also have games against Neumann, Elmira, Wilkes, Immaculata, Keystone and Cedar Crest left on the regular season schedule.

Coach Butash believes that Gregory will play a crucial role in the level of success Marywood enjoys down the stretch.

“We are counting heavily on Marissa,” he said. “And she’s already done everything that we could have asked and much more.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Marywood University softball star Marissa Gregory fires perfect game