Catherine “Cat” Osterman
Cypress Springs High School
Impact Statement
“If you look back at yesterday and think it was a big deal, then you haven’t done anything today.” – Cat Osterman
Biography
Athletes like Catherine Osterman are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best softball players not only in the state of Texas, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.”
Osterman, who will attend the University of Texas, was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year after striking out 812 batters her junior and senior years. As a senior, she posted a 19-3 record, struck out 435, and did not allow an earned run all season. She threw eight no-hitters in the first month of the season alone and led Cypress Springs High to the Class 5A region semifinals. She batted .343 and excelled in the classroom as well, earning a 6.071 grade-point average (on a 6.0 scale). Osterman also struck out all 21 batters she faced in a seven-inning perfect game as a junior.
Osterman was voted to the American Softball Association All-America Third Team in 1999 and the First Team in 2000. Last summer, she helped lead the Katy Cruisers club team to the Under-18 ASA Gold national championship, striking out 106 batters in 53 tournament innings.
She also struck out 11 batters in five innings for the Cruisers in an exhibition game against the Olympic gold medal-winning USA Softball Team.
In 2006, Osterman was the first draft pick in the National Pro Fastpitch draft. She played professional softball until August of 2015.
Osterman was a vital part of the Olympic team that won Gold in 2004 and Silver in 2008. Over 10 years with Team USA, she had a record of 59-4 with an impressive 0.38 ERA.
In 2016, Osterman was inducted into the World of Little League® Hall of Excellence. She is the only the 4th woman to be honored and the first to be inducted on her career in softball.
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