If opposing batters aren’t careful, she’ll send them swinging back to the bench. One of the Iowa State softball team’s major weapons, pitcher Courtney Dully, recently added to her list of honors by smashing a 15-year-old strike-out record.

In her four-year tenure, Dully has shut down 495 batters in 149 innings, ranking her first in the ISU record books for individual career strikeouts. At Missouri April 20, the Eagen, Minn. native surpassed former Cyclone Suzanne Wedemeier’s 1982 record of 438.

“I was really happy,” she said. “I didn’t even know I did it until they told me. It was a great feeling.”

This season, Dully has struck out 160 batters, roughly one-third her career total. Four of the left-hander’s seven victories have been shut-outs, and she has struck out over 10 batters in nearly half her appearances this year. Dully’s earned-run average currently stands at 1.96, an all-time personal low.

Dully also shares a fourth place ISU record with senior Debbie Nease for four career saves.

ISU Head Coach Ruth Crowe said she’s not surprised by Dully’s record-breaking figures because the senior pitcher has been an extremely valuable asset to the program.

“It’s a testament of the hard work that she’s put in for the last four years,” Crowe said. “She’s done a great job year in and year out, and it’s fitting that she achieved this.”

Over the past four seasons, Dully has notched a number of softball honors.

She opened her career in 1994 with a seven-inning, 11 strikeout perfect game against Texas and landed the team’s outstanding pitcher award that year and again as a junior. She also earned a spot on the Lady Seminole all-tournament team her freshman and senior years and received all-Big 12 recognition last season.

Dully currently averages eight strikeouts per game, ranking her eighth in the nation.

Off the mound, Dully is an early childhood/special education major and expects to graduate in May 1998. Nearing the end of her career, Dully said she is looking to conclude the 1997 season positively. Although she is excited for her future, she said her ISU softball days won’t be forgotten.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “I’m going to miss everybody. Hopefully we’ll be successful and end the season on a happy note.”

The Cyclones play next in Oklahoma City on May 2 in the Big 12 tournament.