Being dominant amid weak opposition is one thing. But Orange Lutheran (OLu) pitcher Maddy Dwyer has been nearly untouchable against some of the top teams in California.

Dwyer has recorded three no-hitters in her past five starts to help OLu rise to No. 2 in the state in the latest California high school sports rankings. Dwyer's run of domination includes a perfect game against Pleasanton Amador Valley, ranked No. 8 in the state, and no-hitters against Trinity League foes JSerra and Santa Margarita.

See this week's FAB 50 National High School Rankings

The junior right-hander has been an impact player since she arrived at OLu as a freshman, but this year she has reached another level, almost a Zen-like state of being in the circle.

"I've been seeing these girls for the past two years and this is my third year," the Stanford-commit said. "I think that being able to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and being able to attack them from an angle is key to how the games have been going lately."

Usually, hitters have a better chance the more they see a pitcher, but that hasn't been the case for hitters going up against Dwyer this season. That's where evolution has been a big factor for Dwyer. She has kept evolving her skill-set.

"As a pitcher it's key to develop different parts of the game and adjust ... not keep doing the same thing," said Dwyer, who is 18-2 with a 0.68 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 113.2 innings. "You know, developing a new pitch or developing a new way to throw a screwball or curveball, developing a way to incorporate those into your game is a huge part of it."

Dwyer said her pitching skills have evolved quite a bit since her freshman year.

"I think my off-speed has come quite a long way since my freshman year and turned into one of my biggest strengths," Dwyer said. "I've been working a lot on that. I've ben able to work a lot on throwing to the outside part of the plate. I think that my screwball is one of my biggest assets. This year, I've been working a lot on throwing to the opposite side too."

Dwyer said another key to her success is having a catcher like Lauren Espalin, a talented uncommitted junior. Dwyer and Espalin are also teammates on Bruce Richardson's So Cal Athletics, who are one of the top club teams in the nation that will be a top contender at the PGF nationals this summer.

"Lauren is one of my best friends, so it's really funny that she's also my catcher," Dwyer said. "Over the years we have developed such a close relationship and I feel like we're on the same page all the time. She knows if there's a pitch called and she doesn't feel right about it, she'll come and talk to me. I think that we just both have a mutual understanding how I like to throw and how she likes to call. We just have good communication."

Mission Viejo lost two of the top players in Orange County history --- Taylor McQuillin and Alyssa Palomino (both at Arizona) --- to graduation, but the Diablos remain one of the top teams in the nation and recently ascended to No. 1 in the state rankings. The Lancers meet Mission Viejo in a battle of the top two teams in the state on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the semifinals of the prestigious Michelle Carew Classic. The Diablos have an extremely dangerous lineup that features Arizona State-commit Terra McGowan, Oregon State-commit Camryn Ybarra and Princeton-bound Allison Harvey. It will be Dwyer's toughest challenge so far this season.

"Obviously, they are an amazing team and I know they have very powerful hitters and great defense and pitching, just all-around good team," Dwyer said. "I think that for us it's going to be key to just do what we've been doing, not get outside of ourselves, play like a team live we've been, produce at the plate and make great plays on defense."

The hottest hitting team in the state vs. the hottest pitcher in the state, it's the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object ... in other words the irresistible force paradox. Which one will prevail? Don't bet against the untouchable Dwyer.


Written by Carlos Arias