High school softball: Pitchers with most career no-hitters

High school softball made a big move in 2010. A move of three feet. The National Federation of High Schools changed the distance from the pitching rubber to the plate from 40 feet to 43 feet in 2010 and as a result, the number of pitchers posting no-hitters has drastically changed.

MaxPreps has compiled a list of pitchers with 30 or more career no-hitters. Of the 35 pitchers on the list, only four had the majority of their career fall after the 2010 season.

Ashley Brignac of John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.) set the national record of 58, breaking the old mark of 50 held by fellow Louisiana native Candice Carnahan of Barbe. Brignac had two no-hitters as a freshman, 17 as a sophomore, 18 as a junior and 21 as a senior. She might have had more as a freshman, but she backed up state player of the year Jessica Barksdale.

Brignac received a challenge from Alexis Silkwood of Marquette (Alton, Illinois) in 2013 when she finished her career with 54 no-hitters between 2010 and 2013. Silkwood had 19 no-hitters as a junior, 15 as a senior and 10 each as a sophomore and freshman. She went on to set school records at Mississippi State.

Michele Granger of Valencia (Placentia, Calif.) was the first pitcher with more than 30 no-hitters. She graduated in 1988 with 36 no-hitters before heading to Cal-Berkeley, where she was a four-time All-American. Lisa Fernandez of St. Joseph (Lakewood, Calif.), a future four-time All-American at UCLA, and De De Weiman of Gahr (Cerritos, Calif.), both finished their careers with 37 career no-hitters in 1989. Carnahan took over the lead two years later in 1991.

Sources for the list include the NFHS record book, state association websites, Cal-Hi Sports record book by Mark and Nelson Tennis, the MaxPreps leaderboards and various newspapers accessed by newspapers.com. For any corrections or additions, e-mail Kevin Askeland at kevinaskeland65@gmail.com. Most career no-hitters
1.    58 — Ashley Brignac, John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.), 2004-07
2.    54 — Alexis Silkwood, Marquette Catholic (Alton, Ill.), 2010-13
3.    50 — Candice Carnahan, Barbe (Lake Charles, La.), 1988-91
4.    46 — Rachelle Fico, Masuk (Monroe, Conn.), 2006-09
5.    44 — Nicole Williams, Our Lady of the Lakes (Waterford, Mich.), 1990-93
6.    43 — Alicia Hollowell, Fairfield (Calif.), 1999-2002
6.    43 — Stacy Delaney, Freeland (Mich.), 2002-05
8.    42 — Courtney Repka, East Bernard (Texas), 2006-09
9.    41 — Kirsten Allen, Ryle (Union, Ky.), 2004-08
10.    40 — Michelle Martin, Columbia Community (Iowa), 1988-92
10.    40 — Christina Hamilton, Rosepine (La.), 2007-10
10.    40 — Rachel Fox, Fort Bend Christian Academy (Sugar Land, Texas), 2008-11
10.    40 — Ashley Lewis, Central (Baton Rouge, La.), 1994-97
14.   39 — Jan Bice, Woodward-Granger (Woodward, Iowa), 1996-99
14.   39 — Montana Fouts, East Carter (Grayson, Ky.), 2012-18
16.   38 — Dylan Mathis, Roxana (Ill.), 2002-05
16.   38 — Lauren Millsaps, Cherokee County (Centre, Ala.), 2006-11
18.   37 — Dallas Escobedo, St. Mary (Phoenix, Ariz.), 2007-10
18.   37 — Lisa Fernandez, Saint Joseph (Lakewood, Calif.), 1986-89
18.   37 — De De Weiman, Gahr (Cerritos, Calif.), 1986-89
18.   37 — Crystal Cox, Central Cabarrus (Concord, N.C.), 1999-2002
18.   37 — Allison Crouse, Fort Worth Christian (North Richland Hills, Texas), 2000-2003
23.   36 — Michele Granger, Valencia (Placentia, Calif.), 1985-88
23.   36 — Jessica Barksdale, John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.), 2001-04
25.   35 — Jenny Mackson, Pinconning (Mich.), 1997-2000
26.   34 — Hilary Phillips, Ider (Ider, Ala.), 2004-09
27.   33 — Marissa Marzan, Bullard (Fresno, Calif.), 1998-2001
27.   33 — Jessica Moore, Sutter (Calif.), 2006-09
27.   33 — Grace Baalman, Calhoun (Hardin, Ill.), 2014-17
30.   32 — Holly Aprile, Afton (N.Y.), 1985-88
30.   32 — Megan Elliott, Calvert (Prince Frederick, Md.), 2003-06
32.   31 — Brandy Bailey, Northside (Roanoke, Va.), 1998-2001
32.   31 — Heidi Warmelink, Wayland (Mich.), 2007-10
34.   30 — Marci Whitehead, Damascus (Md.), 1989-92
34.   30 — Jocelyn Forrest, Righetti (Santa Maria, Calif.), 1995-98
34.   30 — Anjelica Selden, Vanden (Fairfield, Calif.), 2000-02
34.   30 — Jessica Jones, Grace Community (Tyler, Texas), 2000-03
34.   30 — Gina Allen, Central Cabarrus (Concord, N.C.), 2003-06
34.   30 — Kenzie Fowler, Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.), 2006-09
34.   30 — Leanna Johnson, Brantley (Ala.), 2013-18

Editor's note: Corrections have been made to the original story to include totals for Ashley Brignac, Dallas Escobedo, Ashley Lewis, Allison Crouse and Rachel Fox.