Praised for her work behind the plate

Pawol takes it in stride as she becomes first woman to call balls and strikes in MLB.

- BY CHARLES ODUM

TODD KIRKLAND Getty Images UMPIRE JEN PAWOL calls a strike in the fourth inning of the Marlins-Braves game on Sunday. She received generally good reviews from both dugouts.

Jen Pawol breezed through Sunday’s Marlins-Braves game as if breaking a gender barrier was just another day on the job.

Considering Pawol became the first female umpire to work behind the plate in the majors, making unprecedented history appear to be routine was especially impressive.

“I think Jen did a really nice job,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said after Atlanta’s 7-1 win over the Marlins.

“I think she’s very composed back there. She handled and managed the game very well. And big day for her. Big day for Major League Baseball. I congratulated her again on that because it’s quite the accomplishment.”