Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Tessa Mortensen
Rothwell Named MAC Softball Pitcher of the Week
February 19, 2019 | Softball
CLEVELAND, Ohio- - After breaking the league's career saves record last weekend, Ball State softball junior closer Alyssa Rothwell has been named the Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Week.
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Rothwell, who earns the honor for the first time this season and the second time in her career, helped guide the Cardinals to a 4-2 record at last weekend's Madeira Beach Invitational by earning a pair of saves and a win in the circle.
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"We are so proud of how Alyssa has embraced the closer role," head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. "She handles it with composure. She's incredibly tough and does a great job of sticking to her strengths. Alyssa is an incredibly important part of what we do as a program. We are really pleased and proud of how she's continued to mature and get better."
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Rothwell entered last weekend's invitational tied for the MAC career lead at 16 saves with Bowling Green's Jamie Kertes (2012-15). It didn't take her long to break the tie, as she entered the game versus Monmouth (Feb. 15) in the seventh inning and proceeded to strike out the side to earn her 17th career save in the 3-0 victory.
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She was not done there, however, throwing the final two innings in the win over Central Arkansas (Feb. 16) to earn her fourth save of the season. She struck out three batters, including the final two of the game, while raising her career saves total to 18 in the 5-4 victory.
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She turned in an even more impressive performance in earning the relief win over Quinnipiac (Feb. 17), taking control over the final 2.1 innings by striking out all seven batters she faced to keep the visitors off the board as the Cardinals rallied from down 2-1 with single runs in the seventh and eighth to win the game 3-2.
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In four appearances at the Madeira Beach Invitational, Rothwell struck out 13 total batters over 6.0 innings of work. She limited opposing batters to just three hits, for a .143 average, and allowed just one run for a 1.17 ERA.
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Next up for Rothwell, the NCAA career saves record of 32 which is held by Mississippi State's Kellie Wilkerson (1999-02). Rothwell is currently tied as the NCAA's active career saves leader with Army senior Renee Poirier.
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Rothwell and the rest of the Ball State softball team return to action Friday, when they open play in the Silicon Valley Classic I with games versus Northern Colorado (Noon ET / 9 a.m. PT) and San Jose State (2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT).
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For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
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Rothwell, who earns the honor for the first time this season and the second time in her career, helped guide the Cardinals to a 4-2 record at last weekend's Madeira Beach Invitational by earning a pair of saves and a win in the circle.
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"We are so proud of how Alyssa has embraced the closer role," head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. "She handles it with composure. She's incredibly tough and does a great job of sticking to her strengths. Alyssa is an incredibly important part of what we do as a program. We are really pleased and proud of how she's continued to mature and get better."
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Rothwell entered last weekend's invitational tied for the MAC career lead at 16 saves with Bowling Green's Jamie Kertes (2012-15). It didn't take her long to break the tie, as she entered the game versus Monmouth (Feb. 15) in the seventh inning and proceeded to strike out the side to earn her 17th career save in the 3-0 victory.
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She was not done there, however, throwing the final two innings in the win over Central Arkansas (Feb. 16) to earn her fourth save of the season. She struck out three batters, including the final two of the game, while raising her career saves total to 18 in the 5-4 victory.
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She turned in an even more impressive performance in earning the relief win over Quinnipiac (Feb. 17), taking control over the final 2.1 innings by striking out all seven batters she faced to keep the visitors off the board as the Cardinals rallied from down 2-1 with single runs in the seventh and eighth to win the game 3-2.
Â
In four appearances at the Madeira Beach Invitational, Rothwell struck out 13 total batters over 6.0 innings of work. She limited opposing batters to just three hits, for a .143 average, and allowed just one run for a 1.17 ERA.
Â
Next up for Rothwell, the NCAA career saves record of 32 which is held by Mississippi State's Kellie Wilkerson (1999-02). Rothwell is currently tied as the NCAA's active career saves leader with Army senior Renee Poirier.
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Rothwell and the rest of the Ball State softball team return to action Friday, when they open play in the Silicon Valley Classic I with games versus Northern Colorado (Noon ET / 9 a.m. PT) and San Jose State (2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT).
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For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
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