2018 Softball Player of the Year: Iyanla Pennington

MILL CREEK — Even the state’s best went cold against the Jackson High School softball phenom known as “Ice.”

Iyanla Pennington put the deep freeze on opposing batters all season long, turning virtually every game into a strikeout-fest while leading the Timberwolves to their first state title.

The hard-throwing junior ace yielded just seven earned runs all season, posting a 0.35 earned-run average in 139 1/3 innings pitched. She struck out 282 batters and walked just 48, averaging more than two strikeouts per inning.

And in addition to her masterful pitching, she was a fearsome power hitter who batted .507 with eight home runs, 10 doubles and a .972 slugging percentage.

For her extraordinary display of dominance in the circle and at the plate, Pennington is The Herald’s 2018 Softball Player of the Year.

“It’s a rare combination to have someone that’s a power pitcher and a power hitter, and to be so consistently great in both areas,” said Jackson coach Kyle Peacocke, who has coached high school softball for 21 seasons.

“I’ve honestly never seen anything like it. I’ve seen one or the other, and I’ve seen some pitchers who are good hitters. But to have the raw power and strength that she has in both those areas, it’s absolutely incredible.”

Pennington allowed just four earned runs over the entire regular season, including 69 consecutive innings without an earned run to start the year.

The Coastal Carolina University commit was equally dominant in the postseason, yielding just three total runs in six postseason contests. She didn’t allow a run in 39 of the 40 postseason innings she pitched.

“It leaves me speechless,” Peacocke said. “She’s a great competitor and she doesn’t back down from any situation. And it seems like the bigger the stage, the more impressive she is.”

Pennington was lights-out at last month’s Class 4A state tournament, striking out 47 batters and surrendering just 10 hits in 26 innings.

In the state quarterfinals, she struck out 16 in a three-hit shutout of a one-loss Puyallup team that was averaging more than 11 runs per game. She followed that with a no-hitter against Camas in the semifinals.

“She was dominating on the biggest stage,” Peacocke said. “It’s absolutely incredible. To throw that many shutout innings against the best teams in the state of Washington is amazing.”

The only postseason runs Pennington allowed came in the state-title game, when Wesco 4A rival Monroe used a three-run fourth inning to cut Jackson’s lead to 4-3. But the star right-handed hurler was unfazed, bouncing back with three more scoreless innings to deliver the Timberwolves the state crown.

Her ability to stay cool in pressure-packed situations is fitting of her nickname “Ice,” which she got on a hot day back in youth softball after telling teammates she was bringing ice to the next practice.

“If somebody gets a hit or gets on base, she never panics,” Peacocke said. “Coaches panic, but she just doesn’t let it bother her. In that particular situation, she just stayed cool, calm and collected.”

After a dazzling first full season in the circle last year, Pennington worked during the offseason to increase her velocity and improve her control. Peacocke said she added 2 to 3 mph to her fastball.

“The velocity itself is in the mid- to upper-60s, which is pretty incredible for a high school kid,” he said. “But she (also) has movement — a curveball, screwball, rise ball.

“And then she’s really been working on developing a changeup. When she has that pitch working, it’s almost impossible to hit her.”

Pennington praised senior catcher Sam Mutolo and Jackson’s steady defense, which committed just 17 errors all season.

“They definitely make me look better in the circle,” Pennington said. “Sam and my defense help me relax a lot.”

Even harder than her blistering fastballs are the scorching line drives Pennington sends rocketing off her bat. Peacocke said she regularly hits balls during practice over the second fence on Jackson’s field, which he estimates is about 250 feet from home plate.

“She hits balls harder than anybody I’ve ever seen,” Peacocke said. “Two or three of her home runs, I’m not kidding you, were like eight feet off the ground just on an absolute line, and they never stopped until they got way over the fence.”

After blasting eight home runs as a freshman, Pennington uncharacteristically struggled at the plate during the first half of last season and finished with just three homers. She said she entered this year focused simply on making solid contact.

“I went in thinking about just getting a hit — line drives, solid hits, just getting my barrel on the ball,” she said. “(And) it ended up paying off.”

Pennington smashed 18 extra-base hits this season, and could’ve had more if teams hadn’t pitched around her. She drew 20 walks, most of which were intentional.

One of her most impressive performances came in a 3-0 non-league win over eventual 3A state runner-up Snohomish. Pennington drove in all three runs on a pair of homers off Missouri State University-bound ace Bailey Greenlee, and shut out the high-scoring Panthers with a two-hitter in the circle.

“She can beat you by herself when she’s on fire,” Snohomish coach Lou Kennedy said.

Pennington was on fire all season, but don’t expect her to rest on the laurels of her exceptional junior campaign. She’s already looking ahead to next season with the goal of helping Jackson become the first repeat 4A state champion since Kelso in 2009 and 2010.

“I think the great thing about her is (even with) how great she is, she does not feel satisfied,” Peacocke said. “She’s the first one to tell you if she misses a spot or doesn’t make the pitches she wants to.

“She’s constantly looking to get better, which I think just adds to her greatness.”