Kassidy Wilbur Named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week
2/12/2019 3:40:00 PM | Softball
Ladyjack freshman garners first USA Softball national weekly award in SFA history
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – It took just four collegiate games for SFA freshman pitcher Kassidy Wilbur to make history, garnering the Ladyjacks' first ever USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week award. The right-hander had an opening weekend to her NCAA Division I softball career that most only dream of, an unblemished 4-0 record, a perfect 0.00 earned run average, three complete game wins and a two-hit shutout over a top-25 opponent on the road.
"It felt so amazing knowing that I have a team behind me willing to do anything to help win," Wilbur said about her opening weekend performances. "I knew as soon as we stepped out onto the field we were there for business, and I wasn't going to let anyone get in our way. I couldn't do anything without my amazing team behind me making plays. Being able to pitch at the Division I level is amazing. I always like a good challenge and I knew they (Mississippi State) weren't going down without a fight."
The Bridge City, Texas (Bridge City HS), native did not allow an earned run in three games starts and 22 innings of work on the rubber, striking out 32 batters and walking just seven. She also only gave up one extra-base hit. In her first career start, Wilbur fanned 15 batters to set the program record for most strikeouts by a Ladyjack making her debut. Going the distance in SFA's season opening 6-2 win over Valparaiso, Wilbur tossed her second complete game and struck out six in the Ladyjacks' 7-1 rout of Middle Tennessee. Wilbur appeared in one inning of relief and struck out a pair of batters as SFA won in walk-off fashion over Middle Tennessee (2-1) Saturday evening. In the 2019 Bulldog Kickoff Classic championship game, Wilbur capped off a 1-0 complete game shutout of No. 24 Mississippi State to capture the tournament title by striking out the side in order in the bottom of the seventh.
At the plate Wilbur contributed a pair of RBI, including hitting a double, and committed zero errors in the field.
"Congratulations to Kassidy on her hard work and nationally-recognized achievement," head coach Nicole Dickson said. "How she competes daily, trains in the bullpen and practices is exactly why she was prepared for this opening weekend. This is just who she is – competitive excellence with every rep. She makes games simple and just goes out and executes."
"Not only does this national player of the week honor as a true freshman give our team and program momentum for the rest of the season, but it also serves as momentum for the Southland Conference," coach Dickson added. "This conference is moving towards getting two teams into NCAA postseason play. Across the board, Southland programs are getting the athletes and facilities to compete and contend against Power Five institutions. Congrats again to Wilbur, selfless execution and competitive drive does powerful things."
Wilbur was also named national pitcher of the week by College Sports Madness Monday evening.
Up Next…
The Ladyjacks open up the home portion of their 2019 slate Wednesday with a midweek tilt against Louisiana-Monroe. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. from SFA Softball Field.
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete coverage of Ladyjack softball throughout the 2019 season.
-SFA-
"It felt so amazing knowing that I have a team behind me willing to do anything to help win," Wilbur said about her opening weekend performances. "I knew as soon as we stepped out onto the field we were there for business, and I wasn't going to let anyone get in our way. I couldn't do anything without my amazing team behind me making plays. Being able to pitch at the Division I level is amazing. I always like a good challenge and I knew they (Mississippi State) weren't going down without a fight."
The Bridge City, Texas (Bridge City HS), native did not allow an earned run in three games starts and 22 innings of work on the rubber, striking out 32 batters and walking just seven. She also only gave up one extra-base hit. In her first career start, Wilbur fanned 15 batters to set the program record for most strikeouts by a Ladyjack making her debut. Going the distance in SFA's season opening 6-2 win over Valparaiso, Wilbur tossed her second complete game and struck out six in the Ladyjacks' 7-1 rout of Middle Tennessee. Wilbur appeared in one inning of relief and struck out a pair of batters as SFA won in walk-off fashion over Middle Tennessee (2-1) Saturday evening. In the 2019 Bulldog Kickoff Classic championship game, Wilbur capped off a 1-0 complete game shutout of No. 24 Mississippi State to capture the tournament title by striking out the side in order in the bottom of the seventh.
At the plate Wilbur contributed a pair of RBI, including hitting a double, and committed zero errors in the field.
"Congratulations to Kassidy on her hard work and nationally-recognized achievement," head coach Nicole Dickson said. "How she competes daily, trains in the bullpen and practices is exactly why she was prepared for this opening weekend. This is just who she is – competitive excellence with every rep. She makes games simple and just goes out and executes."
"Not only does this national player of the week honor as a true freshman give our team and program momentum for the rest of the season, but it also serves as momentum for the Southland Conference," coach Dickson added. "This conference is moving towards getting two teams into NCAA postseason play. Across the board, Southland programs are getting the athletes and facilities to compete and contend against Power Five institutions. Congrats again to Wilbur, selfless execution and competitive drive does powerful things."
Wilbur was also named national pitcher of the week by College Sports Madness Monday evening.
Up Next…
The Ladyjacks open up the home portion of their 2019 slate Wednesday with a midweek tilt against Louisiana-Monroe. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. from SFA Softball Field.
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete coverage of Ladyjack softball throughout the 2019 season.
-SFA-
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