Hall of Fame
One of the top pitchers in Division III collegiate softball history, Kim (Jeffs) Popieniek represented Plymouth State on the All-America teams in 2002 and 2003. In 115 games, Jeffs posted a career record of 66-36 with an earned run average of 0.86 and 38 shutouts. She shattered every Panther pitching record during her career (2002-2005), while currently ranking among the national leaders in career strikeouts (7th, 1,109).
The two-time Little East Pitcher of the Year established a Division III standard for strikeouts in a single-game (20), while also owning the most strikeouts in a season (375) at the time of her graduation. The Stoughton, Mass. product also registered 19 strikeouts against Coast Guard Academy, marking the fifth highest total in a seven-inning game in NCAA history.
Jeffs, the ace of the 2003 Plymouth State staff, led the Panthers to the programs most victories in a single season (30), including the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship. She was inducted into the Plymouth State Hall of Fame in 2010.