There are few better feats for a pitcher in baseball or softball than throwing a no-hitter. Not allowing the opponent to make offensive strides can make a pitcher seem untouchable. 

On March 23, 2013, Tori Torrescano was just that.

The Cyclone senior was able to throw a complete five innings while allowing only one unearned run with one walk in the 12-1 win against Elon (N.C.). It took her 74 pitches to complete the memorable accomplishment.

“I’m not sure if my curveball was moving a little more than normal or if their hitters were just swinging at it and mishitting,” Torrescano said. “Whatever it was, it seemed to be working.”

Playing a weaker team like Elon, which is now 12-19 on the season, is not the deciding factor for the no-hitter. After the ISU softball team jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, there was almost a pitching change to get other players some reps.

“There was a point when we were contemplating actually switching pitchers just because we were up a lot and have someone else get some work early in the third inning,” said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “But, then, we ended up not switching just because we thought of the possibility of the no-hitter.”

Fellow senior Erica Miller gave the team what it needed offensively. She was going 2-for-3 with five RBIs. Torrescano also aided her cause behind the plate, batting 1-for-3 in the game with one run batted in.

“I went out in the last inning and realized the scoreboard showed I hadn’t given up a hit yet,” Torrescano said. “Liana [Henry] made a great diving catch in the fifth to save me on what could’ve been a base hit.” 

When asked about the team’s superstitions in between innings, Torrescano knew the drill.

“I’ve never thrown a no-hitter or even been close,” Torrescano said. “I’ve heard if you think about it or even talk to someone about it, you lose it.”

Gemeinhardt-Cesler’s answer when asked about superstitions did not deviate from the one Torrescano gave.

“You always try not to think about it,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “I saw the zero up on the scoreboard in the fifth inning, and I realized what she had going.”

Torrescano’s is the second no-hitter tossed by the Cyclones this season. True freshman Riley Fisher threw a no-hitter against North Dakota earlier this season.