SOUTH HADLEY — The South Hadley softball team’s job seems pretty simple: Score three runs, and you’re probably going to win the game.

Tigers senior pitcher Ella Schaeffer is as dominant as it gets in western Massachusetts, and she added another milestone to her already unbelievable career wearing black and orange on Tuesday afternoon. Schaeffer recorded her 1,000th career strikeout during South Hadley’s 4-0 win over Pittsfield, as she fanned 15 Generals batters and allowed only one base runner (a bunt single in the fifth) to stamp yet another stellar outing in the circle.

It marked the 13th game this season in which Schaeffer gave up three runs or less. She’s only allowed more than that one time all spring, and has had five games with at least 18 Ks (two with 20). Her command of the plate is evident, as she has yet to allow more than three walks in a contest (a mark she’s hit only twice).

When she’s in the circle, her team always has a chance.

“It’s definitely a very cherishable moment, and a very prideful one,” Schaeffer said after the game, referring to punchout No. 100. “It makes me feel like I accomplished something really big in my career.”

That’s because she did. The 1K club is elite, and Schaeffer has added her name to the list. She’s only played four years of varsity softball and has averaged almost 300 whiffs per season. Schaeffer has worked with pitching coach Steve Putnam for nine years, and between his pointers and guidance as well as countless travel-league games throughout her youth days, she has developed into a star.

Before she even threw a pitch at the varsity level, Schaeffer dreamed of reaching these sort of towering heights for her career. And as it now winds down, it’s become clear to her what once seemed impossible isn’t so preposterous anymore. Her name is etched in rare air forever.

“Playing all year-round and going to a coach definitely helps,” Schaeffer said. “Everything you work on there all goes into what happens in the spring, which is the most important time for softball. This is the time where you set your bar high and try to set records. I definitely wanted to reach this point, I’ve wanted to since I first started. I didn’t think I was ever going to, but I’m very happy with what I’ve done.”

Of course, getting to this point didn’t happen alone. Schaeffer made sure to send a list of ‘thank yous’ to those who have been in her corner the whole way.

“I want to thank my parents, they’re always at every game cheering me on and have my back,” she said. “My pitching coach, my teammates as well, especially Sophia Butler. She’s been there since the beginning, since T-ball. We go way back and she’s a big part of my softball journey.”

South Hadley head coach Arianna Williams took over the Tigers program this season. She lucked out inheriting one of the best pitchers in the area, and although Williams has now coached Schaeffer for 14 games, watching the senior sit down batter after batter never gets old.

She’s still in awe every time out.

“I’ve been very lucky,” Williams said. “Ella makes it look extremely easy. She’s a great person, a great player and she’s built confidence vocally each and every game. It’s absolutely amazing to see where she’s at. One thousand strikeouts is equivalent to like 2,000 points in basketball. She really deserves the credit that she’s getting. I don’t think people realize how big of a deal this is.”

Schaeffer came in needing only one strikeout to hit the milestone, and of course she wasted no time notching quadruple digits as she fanned the first batter she faced. She wore a wide smile that overpowered her face mask and trademark sunglasses, one that could be seen from everyone in attendance as her teammates rushed to congratulate her with banners and flowers.

But more work was to be done.

Her day didn’t stop there. Schaeffer struck out the next Pittsfield batter before getting the third hitter to pop up to third and end the inning. After catching a pop up herself to start the top of the second, Schaeffer rattled off a stretch of strikeouts that showed why she’s feared across this part of the state.

Twelve of the next 13 outs came via strikeout, and this against the No. 11 team in the MIAA’s Division 4 Power Rankings (South Hadley is No. 10 in D4). She ultimately ended the game with 15 strikeouts, and recorded six 1-2-3 innings with the help of some strong defense behind her.

At the plate, Sienna LaFlesh went a perfect 3-for-3 and drove in two runs, including a single in the fourth that broke a scoreless tie. Butler and Schaeffer both cracked two hits, Sevilla Kinney brought home a run with a sacrifice bunt and Riley McMahon – who has done a terrific job catching for Schaeffer all season – tallied a hit, an RBI and scored a run.

South Hadley (10-4) has won five in a row and is peaking at the perfect time with postseason play right around the corner.

“These girls have done a great job all year just avoiding distractions and playing the way they know they can play,” Williams said. “My job right now is to keep building their confidence. They all know how to hit and field, but right now confidence is key.”