Orange Lutheran’s Brianne Weiss starts on the mound against Oaks Christian during Division 1 playoff action May 9, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
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Orange Lutheran’s Brianne Weiss isn’t easily satisfied, and that’s one of the secrets to her success in softball.
After earning second-team All-County honors last season and committing to Notre Dame in the fall, she dedicated herself to strength training to the extent that others noticed.
“She is one of the hardest working pitchers who I’ve been blessed to have in our program,” veteran Orange Lutheran coach Steve Miklos said.
All of Weiss’ trips to the gym and weight room at school paid dividends this spring.
The junior continued to raise her standards, and for her efforts she has been chosen the Orange County Pitcher of the Year.
“Bri was incredible this year,” said Santa Margarita coach John FitzPatrick, whose Eagles were no-hit by Weiss in a 1-0 loss on April 19. “I was very impressed with her poise on the mound and the command of her pitches.”
Weiss led Orange County in two of the three Triple Crown categories for pitching: earned-run average and strikeouts. The left-handed pitcher posted a personal-best 0.79 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 106 2/3 innings.
She posted double-digit strikeout totals nine times, including a total of 20 against Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista in the first round of the Carew Classic.
Weiss had some of her best performances in the Trinity League. She went 7-0 with four shutouts to help the Lancers finish 12-0 in the league.
Overall, she finished 13-3 in the circle as Orange Lutheran reached the Division 1 quarterfinals.
Miklos traced Weiss’ success back to her training away from the field.
“All her hard work in the weight room continues to pay dividends,” he said of Weiss, selected the Trinity League’ pitcher of the year and all-tournament at the Carew. “Her velocity continues to increase year after year.”
Weiss, whose fastball hits about 63-64 mph, trained before school and on her off days with the goal of staying healthy during the season. She put in the extra work while also earning a 4.0 grade-point average the entire school year.
“I needed to be injury-free for my team,” she said. “(The training) definitely made me stronger as the season progressed.”
Weiss is quick to mention that she didn’t reach the heights alone. She had plenty of support.
Weiss said the arrival of standout freshman pitcher Peyton May “took the pressure off” because she had backup whenever needed.
There was the defense of center fielder Kai Minor “robbing hits” and the leadership of seniors Tessa Jerue and Makayla Motis.
Assistant coach Russ Roach called pitches, including more rise balls this spring.
“He definitely brought confidence to my game,” Weiss said of Roach. “He’s really good at setting up batters for an out.”
Weiss took care of being ready for every challenge.