Grace Gronberg had quite the start to the softball season for the Danville Blue Devils, as she was dazzling in the pitching circle and at the plate alike last week. The senior tied her own single game strikeout record for Danville softball, and her lights out pitching earned her the Mount Vernon News Athlete of the Week Award.

Grace had a great week at the plate and the pitching circle," said Danville Coach Charlie Duncan. "But what I was most proud of this week was seeing her encourage teammates when they were struggling and being excited when they were successful. Her leadership put this team in position to be 3-1 this week." 

Gronberg’s pitched eight-and-a-third innings with three earned runs and nine strikeouts in the opening game, pitching solid against IC Catholic Prep despite an extra innings 5-4 loss. She was dominant at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a triple and a run.

In the next game she drove in two runs to help Danville win 5-0 over Springfield. 

She then returned to the circle and was about as good as you can get in a 13-0 shutout of Madison. She went seven innings with one hit allowed, no walks and 16 strikeouts. At the plate she hit a homer and a double, and also drove in two runs while scoring once.

Gronberg went on to win her second game of the season in a 13-1 victory over Leslie County. She pitched a complete seven innings, allowing an unearned run, two hits and no walks. Her huge strikeout totals continued, as she sat down 13 batters by way of the K. Gronberg continued to be an offensive threat as well, with a 2-for-4 showing with three RBIs.

"Grace has had a great start to her season," Duncan said. "It starts with her dedication, hard work, and leadership. Grace's has taken another step this season. She has that look in her eye. Grace has shown growth as a communicator this season. Her improved communication with coaches and teammates has us on the same page. This week she would come in and talk to coaches about what she is seeing out there and as a team we were able to make adjustments accordingly. We were rained on a couple times this week and instead of letting it bother her she made adjustments and even looked more focused and on point."

Congratulations to Grace and good luck on the diamond this week!