As a pitcher for the Catasauqua softball team, Delaney Troxell set a goal of 500 strikeouts for her high school career.

It certainty is a lofty goal, but the Rough Rider sophomore is halfway to her designed achievement.

In a recent 4-0 victory over Executive Education, Troxell recorded 13 strikeouts to top the 100 mark for the season. She then recorded 11 strikeouts in a 2-0 defeat to Palisades to cross over the 250 plateau.

“Hitting 250 this year was my goal,” she said. “We were counting, and figured we could get to that point.

“Last year, I was confident that I could get 100, and I finished with 132. My coach and I talked about 500 as a goal, and we both thought that it could be in reach.”

Head coach Paige Kogelman knew Troxell could reach her high points.

“Delaney is a tireless worker,” she said. “She has been working on her pitches, and is a leader on the team.

“It was good for her to get the mark, but she puts her team first.”

Troxell hasn’t let the accomplishments affect her play.

“My main goal is to help the team,” she stated. “I started thinking about getting 100 strikeouts before high school, and I knew it would take a lot of work.

“I never really have thought about it when I am out on the mound. I am just worrying about giving 110-percent and seeing what I can do at the time to help the team. It was a goal before the season, and I figured it would happen over time.”

Troxell has been working on her change-up since the offseason. She has been pitching for the past six years.

“I have been trying to perfect it, but it still has worked out well,” she said. “I also have been throwing a drop curve, screwball, fastball, riseball, and a straight curve. I have always tried to mix up my pitches.”

Troxell has benefited from the recent success of older brother, Derek, who became a 1,000-pint career scorer in his senior season last year.

“He has had a big influence over me as my whole family has had,” she said. “He and I talk about things all the time. My dad has been a big help to me along the way.”

Teammate and catcher, sophomore Sophia Becker, can visualize Troxell’s potential.

“Delaney is one of the hardest working people I know,” she said. “I know the fact that she achieved these goals this season didn’t come as a surprise to me because of her incredible work ethic and drive.

“Delaney is an inspiration to the team, and I am grateful to be along to see her succeed. If she has come this far as a sophomore, I can’t wait to see what she will do the next two years.”

Troxell will attend a pair of leadership conferences in the summer as well as keeping a full slate of softball, basketball, and volleyball activities.

“I am very excited that I was chosen to go to the leadership conferences,” she said. ‘I feel pretty comfortable in a leadership role on this team.

“I think we have improved a lot from last year, and we will keep getting better.”

Troxell and the girls ended their season with a victory over Salisbury, and it started with a team meeting.

“We got together and discussed how important it was to win the final three games,” she said. “We [wanted] to finish the season strong because we know we have a bright future.”

And Troxell will play a huge role in it.