LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Junior
Kayleigh Jones has been named the Wilson/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Pitcher of the Week after two outstanding performances over the weekend, the NFCA announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Jones becomes the first Bison to receive the honor since the program joined Division II, and is the only recipient from the Great American Conference to garner the recognition this season. Furthermore, she is the sixth pitcher from the GAC to earn the award since the 2017 season.
The Claremore native strutted her stuff in two appearances against East Central, compiling 20 strikeouts and surrendering one earned run. She pitched two complete games, finished the weekend with a 0.50 era, and paved the way for OBU to claim their second conference series win of the year.
Jones twirled a three-hit shutout in game one of the series and closed out with a six-hitter (1 ER) in the series finale.
This season, Jones has struck 123 batters, which leads the GAC and ranks fifth in Division II. She leads a pitching staff that totals 193 strikeouts, also fifth in the nation.
Jones has struck out at least 10 batters in eight appearances and is on a three-game streak with 10 or more. In the season opener, she notched a career-high 12 strikeouts, and has since matched the feat two more times this season.
