March 3, 2008

MACON, Ga. - After going 3-0 during last week's play, Kennesaw State pitcher Brittany Matthews has been named this week's Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday afternoon.

The honor is the second of the season and the fifth of the southpaw's career. She earned the accolade back on February 11 to go along with the three she won last season.

Matthews started her week by striking out 16 batters in a complete game effort in the Owls' 5-3 win at Jacksonville State last Wednesday. Three days later, the Brooks, Ga., product was stellar once more in the circle, again going the distance while fanning 13 Evansville batters in a 7-2 victory in the first game of the Georgia State Spring Showdown.

Her next performance was in relief, later in the day, as she entered to strike out all three batters she faced in KSU's 10-0, five-inning victory over Western Carolina. But Matthews might have saved the best for last, as she mowed down eight batters and allowed just five hits against the host Panthers in the Spring Showdown Championship Game on Sunday afternoon. She went eight strong innings to pick up her tenth win of the season, the most by any pitcher in the A-Sun this season.

With the addition of her 40 strikeouts from last week, Matthews moved her leage-leading total to 123.

The Lady Owls continue their 18-game stint away from Bailey Park when they travel to the Under Armor Invitational this weekend. KSU begins play in the four-day event with a showdown against Sam Houston State on Thursday at noon in Tampa, Fla.