Francis Marion University graduate student right-hander Jenna Walling has been named the Wilson/NFCA National Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 23-29, the second time the Johns Island, S.C., native has garnered this award in 2026.

Walling was previously tabbed as the national Pitcher of the Week for Feb. 9-15.

This past week, Walling boasted a 4-0 mark with one save and a 0.23 earned run average in six appearances in the circle.  She registered four complete games and logged 30.0 innings, while allowing only 24 hits, one earned run, and four walks against 25 strikeouts. 

Her week included two wins at UNC Pembroke, including a six-hitter and a four-hitter during which she did not give up an earned run. 

At Barton College, she tossed a complete-game (8 innings) seven-hitter, allowing no earned runs and fanning 10.  With that win, become the first Division II pitcher to reach 20 wins this season, and only the second Patriot hurler to record three 20-win seasons in a career.  She earned a save in the second game after securing the final out with the tying on base.  That was her seventh career save tying the FMU all-time record.

In the opening contest at Chowan University, she tossed a four-hitter with five strikeouts. In that game, she did surrender one earned run, ending her streak of 37.0 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.  In the second game, she pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in relief with two strikeouts.

At the plate during the week, she also batted .235 with a run scored, three doubles, and five RBIs.

Walling continues to lead the country (NCAA II) in wins (21), strikeouts (164), complete games (23), and innings pitched (172.0).

She helped the Patriots to a 5-1 week (all road games), and to the program's fifth consecutive 30-win campaign.                                                                                                       (OVER)

Francis Marion, now 31-10, moved up five positions to 14th in this week's National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/GoRout NCAA Division II Top 25 coaches poll.  FMU will play a conference twinbill at the University of Mount Olive on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in its only action this week.

Now with 78 wins, Walling is second on the Francis Marion career wins list.  She also ranks third in innings pitched (607.0) and pitching appearances (123) and fourth in strikeouts (484).

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.

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