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Softball’s Venker Earns Her Second MAC Pitcher of the Week Award
March 26, 2019 | Softball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - For her part in helping guide the Ball State softball team to a three-game series sweep of Akron to open Mid-American Conference play last weekend, freshman pitcher Sarah Venker has been named the MAC Co-Pitcher of the Week.
Venker, who earns pitcher of the week honors for the second time this season and shares the award with Kent State redshirt freshman Andrea Scali, continued to shine in the circle for Ball State, picking up a pair of wins, posting a perfect 0.00 ERA and limiting Akron to a .172 batting average last weekend.
"Sarah did a nice job last weekend," Ball State head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. "She kept her composure in some tough situations. We're very proud of how much maturity she's showing as a freshman."
More impressive, Venker was the only starting pitcher in the league not to give up an earned run last weekend. Over 8.0 innings of work, Venker struck out six batters and allowed just five hits.
She entered Friday's series opener versus the Zips in relief, throwing the final 4.0 innings in the 14-6 (6) victory. Along the way, she limited Akron to five hits and a pair of unearned runs, while striking out four batters.
She went on to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, throwing the first 4.0 innings and limiting the Zips to just one hit. She also fanned a pair of batters in the 9-1 (6) victory.
Venker leads the Ball State pitching staff and ranks second in the MAC in both wins (12) and opposing batting average (.194). Her 1.98 ERA is currently third in the MAC, while her 75 total strikeouts are sixth.
Venker and the rest of the Ball State softball team are slated to open a three-game MAC series at Kent State Friday with a 3 p.m. first pitch at the Diamond at Dix. The series concludes with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSB.
Venker, who earns pitcher of the week honors for the second time this season and shares the award with Kent State redshirt freshman Andrea Scali, continued to shine in the circle for Ball State, picking up a pair of wins, posting a perfect 0.00 ERA and limiting Akron to a .172 batting average last weekend.
"Sarah did a nice job last weekend," Ball State head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. "She kept her composure in some tough situations. We're very proud of how much maturity she's showing as a freshman."
More impressive, Venker was the only starting pitcher in the league not to give up an earned run last weekend. Over 8.0 innings of work, Venker struck out six batters and allowed just five hits.
She entered Friday's series opener versus the Zips in relief, throwing the final 4.0 innings in the 14-6 (6) victory. Along the way, she limited Akron to five hits and a pair of unearned runs, while striking out four batters.
She went on to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, throwing the first 4.0 innings and limiting the Zips to just one hit. She also fanned a pair of batters in the 9-1 (6) victory.
Venker leads the Ball State pitching staff and ranks second in the MAC in both wins (12) and opposing batting average (.194). Her 1.98 ERA is currently third in the MAC, while her 75 total strikeouts are sixth.
Venker and the rest of the Ball State softball team are slated to open a three-game MAC series at Kent State Friday with a 3 p.m. first pitch at the Diamond at Dix. The series concludes with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSB.
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