While Sue Pape participated in field hockey, badminton, andvolleyball during her career at F&M, it was her accomplishmentsin softball that set her apart from the other students as somethingspecial. She was, by far, the premier fast pitch softball pitcherin the MAC during her four-year career, earning team MVP threetimes and MAC All-Conference twice. Softball became a varsity sportat F&M in 1979 and ended its first season with a 6-6 record.Pape was the team's top hurler even though she was a rookie. Sheallowed 11 earned runs in 62 innings pitched, for a .18 ERA.Despite striking out 57 batters, she finished with a 4-6record.
The next year, her record improved to 10-4 as she allowed 16earned runs in 98 innings, for a 1.23 ERA, while striking out 70.The team had a 12-4 record and qualified for the EasternAssociation for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (EAIAW)regional tournament where the Diplomats were eliminated in theearly rounds. The following week, the Diplomats defeated Scranton(3-2) and Upsala (4-2) to earn their first MAC championship. Hejunior season was her best year individually as she won 16 gameswhile losing just three. The team posted a school record 22 wins in26 games on the way to the MAC and EAIAW playoffs. In the process,Pape pitched 198 innings, striking out 95 batters, and allowingonly 11 earned runs for a phenomenal .06 ERA, which established anF&M record that stands to this day.
Her .842 winning percentage and 95 strikeouts were also collegerecords. Her senior year produced an 8-3 record, 1.45 ERA, and 65strikeouts. In addition, she threw a no hitter against McDanielthat was two errors short of a perfect game. Wet weather causedmany games to be canceled in the Diplomats? 9-4 season. Papegraduated in 1982 with a degree in business administration. Shelives in Cranbury, N.J., and works for IBM as an internal auditorat the Information Systems Competency Center.
