By Gavin Lapaille

Last year, Catherine Bishop had one of the best seasons in the history of the University of Louisville softball program. After helping lead her team to the BIG EAST regular season title last year,

The 2006 softball season saw University of Louisville senior softball pitcher Catherine Bishop have one of the best seasons in the history of the program. After helping her team take home the Big East regular season title last season, expectations are high this season for Bishop.

“As a senior and co-captain it is important that I stand up and lead while challenging myself to play as well if not better than last year,” said Bishop.

“I really want to focus on putting my team in the best position to win every time I pitch for them.”

If this year’s softball team expects to match the success of last season’s, much of the pressure will be laid on the right arm of Bishop. Last season, Bishop went 30-7 with a 0.78 ERA, lowest in the Big East. At the end of the year she was named the 2006 Big East Pitcher of the Year.

Bishop has easily proven to be one of the most prolific pitchers in U of L softball history. Her 30 wins last season are the most in a single season in school history, and her 59 career wins ranks her second all time. Bishop’s 231 strikeouts last season is second all time and her 485 career strikeouts also ranks second. Her 25 career shutouts currently ties her for first on the schools all time list.

“In softball, pitching is a big part of the game and we are fortunate to have a talented player like Catherine to help us achieve the success we have had over the years,” said U of L softball head coach Sandy Pearsall.

“Catherine has done a tremendous job on the field and has helped us win many games and put us in a position to win conference championships.”

Bishop has also recorded two no-hitters in her career. The first one came when Bishop was a sophomore against the University of Alabama at Birmingham, while the second was last season against the University of Syracuse. She also recorded a one-hit game against Rutgers University last season, retiring 21 batters in a row after giving up a lead-off hit.

Although one would think someone would be under immense pressure during a no-hitter, Bishop claims she did not even realize she is in the middle of one.

“Most of the time you don’t even realize that it’s a no hitter until you finish the game and are ‘attacked’ by your fellow teammates who are screaming it at you,” said Bishop.

Not only is Bishop strong on the field, but she has shown a strong drive in the classroom as well. Majoring in Biology, she has compiled a 3.43 GPA. She has received countless rewards for her hard work in the classroom, most recently being named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Softball Third team, the first U of L softball player in history to earn such honor. Bishop has also been named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, Deans List, the Big East Academic All-Stars and the Big East Honor Roll.

Hailing from Adelaide, Australia, Bishop has represented her country in various games throughout her career. In 2005, she was selected to play for the Australian Women’s softball team, competing in the Pacific Rim tour and the Canada Cup tour. Bishop also played in the 2004 World University Games and was captain of her U18 South Australian softball team in 2003.

“Anytime you get to wear your country’s colors it is a huge honor and one that can never be taken for granted,” said Bishop. “There is nothing better than international softball as it provides a totally new challenge.”

Bishop and her teammates kick off their season against Oklahoma University in the Florida International Fun and Sun on Feb. 9 in Miami, Fla.