Gaston College ace pitcher thriving as Rhinos prepare for World Series trip
When Kristyn Ezzo departed NCAA Division II Mars Hill after last season, she was seeking an opportunity to thrive as a pitcher.
Has she ever.
The Region 10 pitcher of the year after yielding one run in 53 1/3 innings with a 10-0 record and one save against league competition, she pitched four of the five Rhinos' postseason wins and is now one victory shy of a school record for single season victories entering next week's National Junior College Athletic Association World Series in Yuma, Ariz.
"To say I'm blessed to come here is an understatement," said Ezzo, who will take a 23-0 record with four saves and 1.29 ERA into the World Series. "Working every day with this coaching staff has been a privilege."
During the postseason, Ezzo surpassed teammate Abigail Brewton's 22-2 record from a year ago and tied Abigail Gawlinski's 23-5 record from last year. She's now one behind Brantleigh Parrott's 24-1 record during her All-American and the school's previous World Series season of 2023.
"It's hard to put it into words other than I'm where I am today because of this team and because of these coaches," Ezzo said of Gaston College head Mike Steuerwald and his staff of Lani Ries, Jessica Beck and Haley Stewart. "I wouldn't have the stats that I have without these players and these coaches."
How impressive has Ezzo been this season for the Rhinos?
"From a pitching standpoint, she was so dominant in the circle that she came close to winning Region 10 player of the year," Steuerwald said of Ezzo, who finished as runner-up in player of the year voting to teammate Alayna Patrick.
Unlike many college softball pitchers, Ezzo isn't a huge strikeout thrower as she has 145 in 150 2/3 innings this season. But she's yielded just 39 walks and 94 hits and her defense behind her has been exceptional.
"When I go onto that mound, it's not about strikeouts," Ezzo said. "It's about getting outs and giving my defense a chance to make plays."
Last fall when practice began and Gaston College played exhibition games against NCAA Division I and Division II teams, Ezzo said it obvious how good her team could be.
"About a month into fall, I was like, 'Wow, this is the best team I've had the privilege to play on,'" Ezzo said. "And that has showed through and through all season and done nothing but get better and better."
The Rhinos next week will begin their long-standing pursuit of a NJCAA Division I national title.
"There will definitely be a little bit of nerves at first," Ezzo said. "But it's what we've been working toward all season long.
"We're excited to go there and see what's in front of us and pursue the goal we've had since we started practice."