Francis Marion University senior left-hander Alyssa Poston has been named the Conference Carolinas softball Pitcher of the Week, for the week of Feb. 16-22.  It is the second time this season, and eighth time in her career, that she has garnered the weekly award.

A native of Hartsville, S.C., Poston notched a 2-0 record with a 1.03 earned run average in three starts last week.  She recorded two complete games, pitched 20.1 innings, allowed only nine hits, and struck out 22 batters against only one walk issued.  Opponents batted just .136 against her.

Her week included a complete-game 5-hitter in 6-1 win over Catawba College, in which she had eight strikeouts; a no-decision in 6.1 innings of a 10-inning 3-2 win over 23rd-ranked Kutztown University (3 hits, 2 runs, 9 strikeouts); and a complete-game 1-hitter in 3-0 win over Flagler College during which she fanned five.

With win over Catawba, became only the fourth FMU pitcher to reach 60 career wins.  She ranks fourth in career strikeouts with 441.

Poston shares the conference lead in innings pitched (50.2), while ranking second in strikeouts (49), third in ERA (1.52) and wins (5-1 record), and sixth in batting average against (.198).

She was an NFCA second-team All-America last season, in addition to being named the Conference Carolinas' Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The Patriots, now 12-3, remain sixth in this week's National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/GoRout NCAA Division II Top 25 coaches poll.  FMU will play a doubleheader at Lander University on Wednesday at 2 p.m., before traveling to Wingate University on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Poston is majoring in healthcare administration and is a product of Hartsville High School.


       Alyssa Poston