Melissa Naylor throws first perfect game in Langston history

BY: Michael Stewart
Sports Information Director

Guthrie, Okla. – After suffering four consecutive losses during the toughest stretch of the season last weekend, the Langston University Softball team (15-13 overall; 12-9 in RRAC) responded with a three-game sweep of Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) rival Texas College. After taking an evening doubleheader from the Lady Steers (0-20, 0-12 in RRAC) by scores of 3-0 and 17-3 on Thursday, the series hit a crescendo Friday afternoon at the Guthrie High School softball field, when sophomore Melissa Naylor threw the first perfect game (and no-hitter) in Langston University history.

Naylor admitted to being a little stunned at making history when she found out about the honor.

“It felt pretty good,” Naylor said. “I’m glad that I was able to contribute to making history.”

Langston Head Softball Coach Quinton Morgan said that he was proud of Naylor’s effort, and that he expects many more firsts to come for LU Softball, as the 2012 regular season winds down.

“We pay no mind to that really, because we feel like we have much more to our pitching corps,” Morgan said. “We expect dominance from her, whether it’s pitching from Melissa or as a shortstop.”

In the 11-0 victory, the Edmond native threw seven strikeouts in five innings, with two key throws by shortstop Kaylee Hendon assisting in the effort. With the first out of the second inning, Hendon was able to extend and grab the grounder of Lady Steer Tekoah Stevenson from her knees while gunning down the ball to first baseman Whitley Davis for the out.

“She made an amzing throw from the knees, which is incredible enough,” Naylor said. “It was pretty incredible, and it’s hard enough to make a throw like that from the feet. To throw it like that from the knees requires great concentration. I couldn’t have thrown the game without my teammates. It takes more than a pitcher.”

Hendon was also instrumental in the final out of the game, as the former Westmoore Jaguar threw out Mariah Williams at first base to set the first of two milestones for Langston on Friday. With the sweep of Texas College, the Lionesses surpassed their win total from the 2011 season, earning their 15th win. This accounts for the most victories during a single season in Langston University’s six-year softball history, and puts LU in prime position for the first winning season in school history.

Another pitching gem was thrown in the first game by Ashley Fabian, as the Galveston, Texas native threw a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings, allowing only one hit.