Saints go 2-0 at Newman tourney
By Kristi Nixon
MASON CITY — Welcome back, Mallory Juhl.
The junior pitcher for St. Ansgar threw a one-hitter in the opening game of the Mason City Newman softball tournament in a 13-1, four-inning win over AGWSR and hit a home run in the second game of an 11-1, five-inning victory against Eagle Grove.
“The other night at South Winn, I wanted to get her back in the rotation, so she could get some confidence back to see how she was, and after that performance it looks like she hasn’t really lost a step,” said coach Lance Schutjer. “She’s back into the same routine of pitching, but yeah, it’s nice to see her make it back from that injury she had and hasn’t really missed a step. All aspects (of her game), it looks like whatever was bothering her last year is pretty much done.”
Her injury is an uncommon and not very often heard of condition. In fact, it only affects between one and three in 100,000.
“I had a rib removed (in my shoulder),” Juhl said. “I had thoracic outlet syndrome, so every time I pitched, my rib would press my blood vessels and my nerves, so my arm would go numb. Everything feels good (now). No pain or anything.”
Juhl said she’s happy to return to the game she loves.
“It feels really good,” she said. “I’m excited to be back. It was a rest break and a learning year to sit back, but I’m glad to be back playing softball.”
The full story appeared in the June 1 print edition of the Enterprise Journal.
