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Washington junior left-hander Emma Orr became the sixth pitcher in North Carolina softball history to throw a perfect game in Friday’s 6-0 home victory over East Carteret.
The softball definition of perfection differs from baseball in a vital way. In baseball, it means the pitcher didn’t allow a baserunner.

In softball, the pitcher has to strike out all 21 batters in a seven inning game. That’s no contact in fair territory at all the entire game.

Orr had several full counts on Mariner batters throughout the contest, but managed to get the strikeout every time.
“I didn’t even know I had done it until Coach Brad (Horton) and my mom told me after the game,” Orr said. “I was just going pitch by pitch, trying to do my best and didn’t really think about it. Now that it’s sunk in, I think it’s really cool.”

Orr threw 103 pitches in her perfecto, including several screwballs, which was her most effective pitch. She added to her regular fastball, change up, rise ball and drop ball to have confidence in five pitches.

“My private coach and I have been working on it for the last six months, but I finally got the hang of it just before the season started,” Orr said. “It worked really well Friday and I have the confidence in it to keep throwing it.”

Orr helped her own cause with a pair of hits Friday as the Pack (4-0) collected 13 hits total.

Seniors Mica Lilly and Peyton Youmans had three hits each, while Orr, Addison Miller and Alani Hyatt had two.
East Carteret is 1-2 for the season, while WHS points toward a key home game Friday against perennial 4A power D.H. Conley.

“Emma was extremely focused and efficient with her pitches and that’s the best she’s pitched in her three seasons here,” coach Brad Horton said. “She’s had three shutouts in four games and has only given up two runs total. She’s matured a great deal this year and it shows on the mound.”
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