Francis Marion University graduate student right-hander Jenna Walling has been named the Wilson/NFCA National Pitcher of the Week for the week of Feb. 9-15.

Walling, a native of Johns Island, S.C., posted a 4-0 record mark in four circle appearances with a 0.32 ERA.  She allowed only 12 hits and one earned run in 21.2 innings of work, while striking out 17 and walking no one.  Opponents batted only .158 against her.  At the plate, she hit two homers and drove in six runs, including a walk-off two-run homer to beat Ferris State on Feb. 14.

Her week included beating Coker 6-0 with 2-hit shutout that saw her fan nine batters.  She beat Ferris State 10-2 on Feb. 13 with a 6-hitter when she allowed no earned runs and had four strikeouts, while hitting a three-run home run at the plate.  On Feb. 14, she beat Ferris State 5-3 in relief after hitting a walk-off 2-run homer and then she beat Tusculum 5-1 with a 3-hitter and four strikeouts.

Now with 63 wins, she is only one shy of tying Amy Birch (2000-03) for second on the career wins list.

Walling was last season's Conference Carolinas Scholar-Athlete of the Year for softball, as well as earning All-Region and All-Conference accolades for her play on the field.

The Patriots, now 9-1, moved up four positions to sixth in this week's National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/GoRout NCAA Division II Top 25 coaches poll.  FMU will host Catawba College for a doubleheader on Wednesday at 3 p.m., before hosting the Patriot Invitational Tournament on Saturday and Sunday with three games each day.

Walling has already earned her undergraduate degree and is part of the MBA graduate program at FMU.  She is a product of First Baptist School.

The awards are voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee, which features two member coaches from each of the NCAA's eight regions.


       Jenna Walling