Silkwood Named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week
March 30, 2015 | Softball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After a week that saw a no-hitter and a win over the No. 2 team in the country, sophomore Alexis Silkwood was named Southeastern Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
Silkwood went 2-1 on the week with a 1.05 ERA in three appearances, all of which were complete-game outings. The second-year Bulldog struck out 19 on the week and opposing hitters batted at an average of .169 against her.
The fourth SEC honor of her young career, in 2014 Silkwood was named SEC Pitcher of the Week on one occasion (April 21) and SEC Freshman of the Week on two occasions (Feb. 17 & March 3).
"It is a wonderful honor and I am very thankful, but I wouldn't be receiving this honor without the team," Silkwood said. "Especially on Sunday the defense made outstanding plays and fought the entire week. I am just so blessed to have this opportunity to play with an amazing group of sisters."
Silkwood started her week with a no-hitter vs. Southern Miss on Wednesday that was the first of her career and the 16th in the Mississippi State softball record books. Silkwood went the distance in the 10-0 win in six innings along with having struck out eight batters. It marked the first no hitter for a MSU pitcher since Stephanie Becker did it on April 14, 2013 vs. Ole Miss.
The sophomore from East Alton, Ill. concluded her week on Sunday with a complete-game win over No. 2 Florida as she struck out six in a comeback win for MSU.
"There are so many great pitchers in this league," head coach Vann Stuedeman said. "To be awarded SEC pitcher of the week is a tremendous honor. Silkwood is a true competitor, with heart, guts, grit and has the will to win. She is a coach's dream."
In the midst of her fourth season, head coach Vann Stuedeman has now had six of her Bulldog pitchers receive SEC Pitcher of the Week honors.
Ranking second in the SEC in strikeouts (151) and first in wins (18), Silkwood has 14 complete-game efforts this season and has struck out five or more in 15 games this season.
Moving up the State record books, Silkwood now has 31 career victories, which ranks ninth in the MSU record books, while her 318 career strikeouts, ranks fifth in the State record books.
Next up for Silkwood and the rest of the Bulldogs is a trip to Lipscomb for a single game on Tuesday, March 31 at 4 p.m. CT. The game was previously scheduled for March 10, but was postponed due to inclement weather.
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