March 13, 2007
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - ARIZONA STATE junior Katie Burkhart has been named the Pac-10 Softball Pitcher of the Week for Mar. 6-12, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today.
Burkhart went 2-0 with a save last week in four appearances, leading the Sun Devils to the championship of the Pac-10 vs. Big XII Challenge in Tempe, Ariz. On Friday and Saturday, ASU took two games each from Missouri and Texas Tech, then defeated the Red Raiders for a third time on Sunday for the title.
In the two games started by Burkhart, the Sun Devils outscored their opponents, 16-1, and the only run off Burkhart was unearned. On Friday against Texas Tech, Burkhart threw a complete game and gave up only four hits and the unearned run in a 10-1 ASU win. She struck out 16 without a single walk.
Burkhart earned a save the next day against Texas Tech, finishing off a 7-6 win by striking out the side in the seventh.
Starting the late game against Missouri, Burkhart dominated the Tigers, allowing just a hit and a walk in a complete game shutout. She fanned nine in ASUs 6-0 win. Burkhart added another 1.2 innings of scoreless relief on Sunday in a 12-3 five-inning win over the Red Raiders.
For the weekend, Burkhart had an ERA of 0.00 over 16.2 innings, allowed eight hits and a walk and struck out 30. She lowered her season ERA to 0.86 and is now 11-1 with two saves on the year.
The fourth-ranked Sun Devils (27-2) head for Fullerton, Calif. this week to take part in the Jude Garman Classic from Mar. 15-18.
This is Burkharts fifth career Pitcher of the Week honor and second this season. It is Arizona States 48th Player/Pitcher of the Week award all-time.
ALSO NOMINATED: Lauren Frankiewicz, CAL; Alicia Cook, ORE; TaTyana McElroy, OSU; Missy Penna, STAN; Whitney Baker, UCLA.
2007 PAC-10 SOFTBALL PITCHERS OF THE WEEK: Feb. 13 - Katie Burkhart, ASU; Feb. 20 - Danielle Lawrie, WASH; Feb. 27 - Missy Penna, STAN; Mar. 5 - Danielle Lawrie, WASH; Mar. 13 - Katie Burkhart, ASU.