Lois Florreich

Kathleen Lois Florreich
(Flash)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 5", Weight 140 lb.

• Born April 29, 1927 in Webster Groves, MO USA
• Died September 11, 1991 in Sea of Cortez Mexico

Biographical Information

For the first four years of the AAGPBL, Lois Florreich was a mediocre hitter, batting .205 as an OF/3B for the South Bend Blue Sox and Kenosha Comets. She tied for third in 1943 with 4 home runs and was among the top 10 in total bases (114, 10th), RBI (43, tied for 8th),steals (57, 6th) and doubles (tied for 5th, 9). In '44, she stole 7 bases in a game once, tying the league record. She hit just .178 for South Bend but stole 113 bases, 7th in the league, and tied for 4th with 6 triples. In '46, Florreich became a part-time pitcher but was hit hard, going 9-16 and her 2.40 ERA was not outstanding in a league still dominated by pitching and defense.

In 1947 Florreich joined the Rockford Peaches and continued to improve on the mound, going 13-19 with a 1.68 ERA. By '48, she had become a 20-game winner (22-10, 1.18) and she finished tied for third in ERA, fourth in wins and second with 231 strikeouts (behind only Joanne Winter. She made her first All-Star team that year.

In '49, Lois became Rockford's ace and she put up a great 22-7, 0.67 season. She set the AAGPBL all-time record for lowest ERA, finished second to Jean Faut with 22 wins, led the circuit with 210 strikeouts, tied for the lead with 26 complete games and was second to Faut in shutouts with 9.

Florreich made her third straight All-Star team in 1950. She was 20-8, 1.18 that year. Her ERA was 0.06 behind leader Faut, she was third in wins, second in complete games (28) and led with 171 strikeouts, 53 more than #2 Faut. Florreich retired with a career ERA of 1.40, one ERA title and two strikeout crowns.