SOUTH DEERFIELD — When Turners Falls softball pitcher Madi Liimatainen eclipsed the 500 strikeout mark as a sophomore, a question emerged – just how many K’s could the ace rack up before her time with the Thunder came to a close?

On Wednesday against Frontier, the senior reached a milestone few pitchers in the history of the Commonwealth have ever accomplished.  

Liimatainen went into the contest sitting at 987 strikeouts and through six innings at Zabek Field, had rung up 11 batters to leave her two shy of the millennium mark entering the final frame.

After the Redhawks loaded the bases with no outs, Liimatainen dialed in and struck out the next two batters she faced, the second giving her No. 1,000.

Host Frontier ultimately spoiled the party a bit, scoring twice in the home half of the seventh to walk off with a 2-1 win. Still, Wednesday marked a significant milestone in the sporting career of one of the best athletes that Franklin County has ever seen.

“I knew that I was going to get it in the first couple games [of the season] but I didn’t realize it was going to be this quick," Liimatainen said. “I wish the outcome of the game was different but I’m still very happy I was able to hit it today.”

The senior has been a key contributor for the Thunder since she was in eighth grade, taking over full time in the circle as a freshman. 

She made sure to thank all her coaches, in particular her father, Turners assistant coach Jay Liimatainen, as well as Thunder head coach Gary Mullins for shaping her into the player she is today. 

“It signifies that all the hard work has paid off,” Liimatainen said. “I have to thank my father. He’s my rock and he pushed me so hard and he’s the reason I work so hard for everything. Pitching, I wasn’t very good at a young age but I stuck with it and that’s only because he put in so many hours with me. That’s why I’m where I am today, because of him and all the coaches I've had. 

“Coach Mullins is an amazing coach,” Liimatainen added. “He helps mentor me with pitching and when I first started out, he’s who I went to. He’s been with me through all the four years so hitting this is pretty cool. It’s not something I knew I could reach. When I hit my 500th I knew I wanted this next. I don’t think anyone has done it at Turners so that’s pretty cool too.” 

To put into perspective just how impressive 1,000 strikeouts is, Liimatainen became the first player in the entire storied history of the Turners softball program to accomplish the feat. Mullins noted how well his ace had to throw on Wednesday against a tough Frontier team to reach the mark. 

“Nobody has ever done it here,” Mullins said. “It is impressive. She threw a great game to get it today. I think Frontier might have the best hitting team in the league. Madi did a terrific job keeping their bats quiet.”

After Liimatainen hit the milestone, the game paused briefly to allow her teammates to gather around and celebrate with her. Mullins also came out and gave her words of encouragement, something she appreciated. 

“It was that feeling of approval,” Liimatainen said. “He told me ‘congratulations boss’ which he’s always said. Hearing him say I threw a good game today and got some really good hitters out — props to [Frontier], they’re a good team — is something I’m proud of. The ending wasn’t great but that’s how softball is sometimes.”

It’s never easy when the pressure begins to mount the closer you get to a major milestone. Liimatainen was cool under that pressure on Wednesday, though she did admit it is a nice thing to have out of the way. 

“It feels like a weight off the shoulder,” Liimatainen said. “You keep feeling like you need to get it. I’m happy now. I was thinking before the season, last year I averaged around 15, 16 strikeouts per game. The first two games I’ve been averaging more but this one wasn’t as good.”

So, just how many strikeouts can Liimatainen rack up before her high school career comes to an end? Norton’s Kelly Nelson holds the MIAA record for strikeouts with 1,331, setting the mark in 2018. With 15 games to go in the regular season plus the Western Mass. and state tournaments to follow, anything is possible for the Thunder star. 

Despite that, her main focus is trying to get Turners back to the state championship game to defend its Div. 5 crown. 

“Last ride,” Liimatainen said. “I think we have a good chance. Having girls who played last year and being able to experience what it’s like to feel it, everyone is now biting for some more. Senior year, I want to go out with a bang.”