It took four seasons and a lot of determination, but Arlington resident Josie Whitaker achieved a goal of amassing 400 career strikeouts.
The senior right-handed pitcher for the Thomas Jefferson Colonials girls high-school softball team reached that milestone in the team’s semifinal loss to the Hayfield Hawks in the National District tournament.
Whitaker entered the playoffs needing 11 Ks to reach 100 for the season and 13 for the 400 mark. She fanned 12 and allowed just two hits in a first-round, five-inning slaughter-rule win over Falls Church, then rang up one against Hayfield.
She also had two hits, including a double, in the win over Falls Church.
A four-year starter, Whitaker has now struck out 100 hitters for three straight seasons. She has been chosen first-team all-district for three straight years and was second-team as a freshman.
Her pitching record this season is 10-5, and she has 23 career wins.
Contributing to the offense as well, Whitaker has a batting average well over .300 this season.
The Colonials have at least one game remaining in upcoming region-playoff action. Jefferson enters the region-tourney with a 10-6 overall record, its best mark in a number of seasons.
Vivian Monaco and Breanne Graham are other Arlington players on the team, and have helped Jefferson to a winning season this spring.
Whitaker and Monaco began playing softball together as fourth-graders in the Arlington Girls Softball Association.
