Central Michigan University Athletics
2008 Hall of Fame Profile: Karen Wongstrom
10/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Changes in the game of college softball have evened the playing field between the pitcher and the batter.
However, when Karen Wongstrom was in the circle for the Central Michigan University Chippewas in the late 1980s, it was the pitchers who were dominating.
Just take a look at Wongstrom’s career numbers. Her .811 career winning percentage still ranks tops in CMU history. She went 60-14 in her career and the 60 wins currently rank third while her miniscule 0.75 ERA is fourth and 336 strikeouts fifth. In over half of her career wins, she didn’t allow a single run as she shut out 31 foes, fourth most in CMU annals.
“Karen didn’t have the most velocity, but she had excellent spins and her rise ball was her strikeout pitch. She knew how to turn it on and pitch effectively in crucial situations,” head coach Margo Jonker said. “The game has changed a lot since, as technology has given the batter advantages now. Because of that, some of these records will not be touched.”
A three-time first team All-Mid-American Conference selection, Wongstrom was an integral part of MAC championship teams in 1986 and 1987. In fact, the lefty was the primary pitcher on the 1987 squad which advanced to the Women’s College World Series, the first and still the only appearance in the national finals at the Division I level in school history.
“The teams Karen played on were solid all the way around,” Jonker said. “We had power, speed, great hitters, dominating pitchers and a good defense. It was a total unit.
“But, Karen’s competitiveness took us to another level because without a quality pitcher in the circle, it is difficult to be successful in this game.”
Wongstrom tied the school record with 22 wins in 1986, a mark that currently ranks third. Her senior season she won 18 times which still ranks ninth. She threw a no-hitter against Miami in 1984. She was also a two-time Academic All-MAC selection.
“I would put her in the top five pitchers all-time at CMU,” Jonker said. “She had some huge wins for us in her career.”
During CMU’s 1987 run to the World Series, Wongstrom picked up a key game two win over Northwestern in a three-game series that sent CMU to Oklahoma City. She also started game three and went seven innings before being relieved as the game went to extra frames. In the WCWS, she didn’t allow an earned run in 17 and two-thirds innings of work.
“When we got to Oklahoma City, everyone was wondering where Northwestern and then figuring someone must have been hurt for the Wildcats,” Jonker said. “Nobody expected us to be there but Karen was a big reason for why we were.”
