One of the top pitchers in the 2016 class is Kendal Judge of Providence Catholic High in New Lenox, Ill.

As a junior, Kendal threw four no-hitters and one perfect game, which happened to be in a regional semi-final and in that game she struck out 20 of the 21 batters she faced.

She also has already set her schools career strikeout record with 585 K’s and she still has her senior season to go.

We watched Kendal guest pitch with the DeMarini Aces at the PGF 16U Nationals where she pitched in three games and went 1-0 with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings.

The Univ. of Minnesota commit is a bright, articulate player and in today’s Q&A session talks about her past, present and future on the field and off…

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FloSoftball: You guested with the DeMarini Aces at PGF 16U Nationals… what will be your lingering memory from that experience?
Kendal Judge: The memory I feel that I will carry most was probably being able to compete against some of the best teams in the country and meet and play with all new girls and getting to know new people throughout the softball world. A good amount of the girls on the Aces are committed to Big Ten schools that I will be competing against in the future, so it was nice to meet and get to know them a little.

FS: You were “discovered” at the OnDeck National Camp in 2012 after the Derek and Joanne Allister saw you at a 14U Nationals.  What do you remember from that OnDeck camp and were you nervous to be in front of so many college coaches?
KJ: From my first national elite camp, I remember the overwhelming excitement the most. I could not wait to get out there and show off my skill set to everyone, because with me, nerves are not an issue. I love the under pressure situations and always will. I really enjoyed competing with all of the great players who were invited, only (84) I think, and I remember there being tons of college coaches in attendance, many of them I had seen on ESPN at the college world series, just an amazing experience overall. I can’t thank Derek and Joann Allister of OnDeck Softball enough for seeing the potential in me, believing in me, and inviting me to those events!

FS:  You’ve taken pitching lessons from Nancy Evans, the former Univ. of Arizona great who won three national championships. What would you say are some of the things she’s taught you that has helped in your development?
KJ:  Ever since I have been working with Nancy I have been taught that having perfect spin is critical. When you have the proper spin you are able to move the ball wherever you want. I have also learned how to read hitters swings, and where the stand in the box and think to myself on how I want to throw to them. Nancy has not only taught me the mechanical side of pitching, she also has worked on the mental side with me, and that has helped tremendously. She is just a great asset to have around, I am truly lucky to have he teaching me the art of pitching!

FS: This spring, you did something not many pitchers can claim: you pitched a perfect game and even struck out 20 of 21 batters!  What was going through your head, were you aware of the perfect game and did you feel like you were unhittable that game?
KJ: My thought process was pretty simple, just to keep throwing my game and having full confidence in every one of my pitches. I did not dwell much on the thought of the perfect game scenario, rather, I was trying to pitch as best as I could trying to get the win for my team. During that game I felt like I was doing the best I could to make the ball miss the bat, and hitting my spots was a huge factor in achieving that. It turned out to be pretty special, something that I can look back at later and remember.

FS:  You’ll sign with Minnesota in about three months… what was it about the Gophers that led you to commit to the Big Ten program?
KJ: I absolutely fell in love with Minnesota’s campus the minute I stepped foot on it, but my selling point would have to be the wonderful coaching staff (Coach Jessica Allister, Coach Piper Ritter, and Coach Jessica Merchant), and the feeling of home I get when I am there. I feel like they are building something special up there. I wanted to be a part of building a winning tradition, not just be a part of something that was established already, built and in place like a factory.

FS:  OK, imagine it’s a full count, two outs, bases loaded, up by a run scenario.  What’s the pitch you’re going to throw to close out the game? 
KJ: That question would depend on the hitter up to bat, and on their swing, but I would most likely throw a rise ball; low, mid, or high!

FS:  Let’s go off the field… where do you see yourself 10-15 years from now?
KJ: In 10-15 years from now, I see myself having a steady job maybe in law enforcement, and having a family of my own. I am sure I will still be involved with softball in some way, shape, or form. Softball has opened many new avenues for me, and feel one day I would like to give back to it what it has given to me.

FS:  What would we find playing in your headphones right now?
KJ: Either rap or country music, its kind of a broad spectrum but what I enjoy listening to.

FS:  What’s the biggest world or national issue that you’d address if you were President of the U.S. for a week?
KJ: If I was president of the U.S. for a week, the issue that I would focus on most would have to be the economy and working to make it better and stronger. I feel that we are supposed to be a world leader that other countries rely on and we need to strengthen ourselves from within the country to become that great leader all look to again.

FS:  What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, on or off the field?
KJ: There has been a tremendous amount of great advice I have received over the years, one thing that stuck with me would be never let yourself get too high (excited), never let yourself get too low (miserable) and always strive to stay level or even. You will get highs and lows playing softball, and in life, but the more you can keep your emotions level or even, the easier it will be to perform at a high level on a consistent basis. Try and stay steady!