March 31, 2008

MACON, Ga. - Senior Brittany Matthews is running out of room on her living room mantle as the Kennesaw State hurler was selected again as the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced on Monday afternoon.

The honor is the fourth of the year for Matthews and the eighth of her career. She won the accolade on February 11, March 3 and March 10 of this season, in addition to the four occasions in which she won the award last season.

For the week, Matthews went 3-0 with with complete-game victories over Albany, Jacksonville and North Florida while nothcing a pair of saves against the Dolphins and Lady Ospreys. She recorded 27 strikeouts while allowing just one earned run in 24.2 inninhs of work.

The Brooks, Ga., native started the week with a complete-game four-hit shutout of Albany last Tuesday afternoon. Three days later, Matthews went the distance for the second straight game while striking out 12 in the Owls' 3-0 win over Jacksonville. Matthews then appeared in the second contest against the Dolphins, striking out the side in a one-inning save to preserve KSU's 3-0 win and the sweep.

Matthews answered the call again on Sunday afternoon against long-time rival, North Florida. In game one, the Professional Sales major allowed just one run while fanning five Lady Ospreys to earn her third win of the week as KSU downed UNF, 2-1. She then came out of the bullpen again, this time working 2.2 innings without allowing a hit to record her second save of the week and fourth of the season.

With her stellar week, Matthews improved to 17-3 on the season. Her earned run average has fallen to 1.21 and her league-leading strikeout total for the season now stands at 198.

Kennesaw State will be back in action this Tuesday when the Owls make the short trip south to Panthersville to take on Georgia State. First pitch of the doubleheader at Bob Heck Field is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.