Senior right-hander Brinnlyn Hardt closed her Guam softball career with an 11-1 victory over John F. Kennedy in which she struck out 12 in five innings. (George Washington softball)

DEDEDO, Guam – Brinnlyn Hardt closed her high school pitching career on a winning note, striking out 12 as her George Washington Geckos routed John F. Kennedy 11-1 in Guam’s third-place game Saturday at Okkodo Field.

After beginning a season that began with Hardt not knowing if she would play at all, the senior right-hander finished 7-2, striking out 76 batters in 34 innings.

Hardt pitched Guam High to the island championship as a sophomore two years ago and to second place behind Academy of Our Lady last season. Guam High didn’t have enough players to field a team this season, and Hardt was permitted to suit up for George Washington, a Guam public school.

In an online interview Saturday with Stripes, Hardt said the opportunity to play for the Geckos after the Panthers couldn’t field a team was special.

“The bonds I was able to create with some of the girls was unmatchable,” Hardt said. “I admire something different about each girl there. All of my teammates were so wonderful and accepting.”

It allowed her to play in three straight Guam softball semifinals. The Geckos fell to Okkodo 4-3 in their semifinal a week ago before closing out victoriously on Saturday.

All told, Hardt went 20-2 in her three seasons on Guam, with 227 strikeouts in 108 innings.

“A lot of mixed feelings. Sad that it’s over, but proud of myself and ready for the next step,” Hardt said.

Her family is expecting to transfer to Okinawa following graduation from Guam High and Hardt says she hopes to become an assistant coach for one of the high school or youth clubs teams on island.

In the championship game, Academy won its island fourth title in six seasons, outlasting Okkodo 20-19.