RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Fifth-year pitcher Kayleigh Jones was named the Great American Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week after an outstanding weekend in the circle at the Raising Cane's Festival.
This is the 14th GAC Pitcher of the Week honor of her career, the most by any Bison in program history.
Jones posted a 2-1 record in three appearances, leading Oklahoma Baptist to a 3-2 victory over Washburn and a 1-0 win over Central Missouri after extra innings. Jones totaled 35 strikeouts and earned an ERA of 2.45 over 20.0 innings of work. Opposing batters hit .167 with Jones in the pitching lane.
Jones' best outing came on Sunday against UCM, when she fanned 20 batters to break her own school record while only giving up one hit. It would've been Jones' fifth-career no-hitter if not for a Central Missouri connection in the fourth inning.
The previous school record of 16 strikeouts, Jones did twice in her illustrious career. Once against Emporia State (2/19/23) last season and once more two years ago, as a junior, versus Arkansas Monticello (4/23/22). Those totals tied the long-time program record set by Kayla Jones in 2004.
Against Washburn, Jones surrendered two runs and struck out 12 in 7.0 innings. She allowed seven hits but didn't walk a batter. Then, in her second meeting of the season with Rogers State, Jones tossed 4.0 innings and collected three more punchouts.
In seven appearances this season, Jones owns a 2.42 ERA and is tied for the most strikeouts (68) in the nation. After last week's outing, Jones has a 4-2 record in the pitching lane.
