Yoshida gets first K, but no win in 2nd start

CHICO, Calif. – Eri Yoshida, the 18-year-old “Knuckle Princess” from Japan, pitched four strong innings and recorded her first strikeout of the season for the Chico Outlaws on Saturday.

Yoshida, the first female to play professionally in the United States since 2000, gave up two runs and allowed the leadoff batter to reach base in every inning she worked. Yoshida kept the damage to a minimum in her second start of the season.

Yoshida has created quite a stir in this college town since signing with the Outlaws earlier this year. Long lines of fans snaked through the stadium parking lot 30 minutes before the game. Team officials delayed the start briefly to allow people to get inside.

The 5-foot right-hander, who already has a spot reserved in Cooperstown, was much more relaxed than in her debut May 29 despite hitting Yuma leadoff hitter Eric Scriven with her second pitch.

She struck out Timothy Rodriguez on three pitches in the third inning, Yoshida’s first of the year.

She left with a 3-2 lead, but finished with a no-decision.