LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Freshman Ava Laurent was tabbed the Division II Wilson/NFCA Pitcher of the Week of the Week Tuesday (Mar. 12).
Laurent is the first recipient of the pitching award in program history since the National Fastpitch Coaches Association introduced the weekly award with a pitcher and player categories in 2014. Two Gorillas have earning the award as the Division II Louisville Slugger/Player of the Week in Paxtyn Hayes (2023) and Tiffany Brown (2014).
The Grand Island, Neb., native went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA through 21 innings of work last week. She fanned 38 batters and issues just two walks while posting a 0.67 WHIP and limiting opposing hitters to a .162 batting average.
To begin her week she struck out 10 Golden Suns on the road Tuesday (Mar. 5) in a 5-0 win against Arkansas Tech. She followed that up with back-to-back 14 strikeout performances against Central Missouri (Mar. 9) and Lincoln (Mar. 10) to begin the conference slate.
Among MIAA ranks she is now first in strikeouts (107) and opposing batting average (.183), third in innings pitched (73.0) and victories (9) and fourth in ERA (1.25).
The Gorillas and Laurent will be back in action hosting the MIAA/NSIC from March 15th-17that the PSU Softball Complex.
