Armstrong of UCA Softball Named Southland Pitcher of the Week

Courtesy University of Central Arkansas Athletics Department

Central Arkansas senior pitcher Kelsie Armstrong has been named the Southland Conference’s Pitcher of the Week. The award, which has been handed out by the SLC eight times this season, has now gone to Armstrong on four occasions.

The righty from Hot Springs, Arkansas was masterful this past week, picking up a pair of complete game victories in games against Tulsa and McNeese State. Armstrong posted an ERA of 1.50 in 14 innings, holding opponents to a batting average of .149 while striking out 18 batters.

On Wednesday evening, Armstrong and the Bears played host to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, who arrived at Farris Field as the no. 18-ranked team in the nation. Armstrong turned in what may have been her best performance yet this season, carving up the Golden Hurricane over her seven innings of work. Tulsa was able to reach base only twice on the day, drawing a walk and picking up a single off of the Central Arkansas ace. Armstrong mowed down her opposition, registering eight strikeouts to help lead the Bears to a 1-0 upset victory.

Armstrong was dialed in again on Friday, holding Southland Conference-leading McNeese State to just three runs on six hits and three walks. She struck out 10 Cowgirls to push her record to 16-7 on the season and help give Central Arkansas a 4-3 win.

Armstrong and the Bears (23-12, 6-5 SLC) will host Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 pm. Central Arkansas will then travel to Natchitoches, Louisiana to play a three-game set against SLC foe Northwestern State. The teams will play a double-header beginning at 4:00 Saturday afternoon, before wrapping the series up with a single game at 1:00 Sunday afternoon.