OSU's Nelson Named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week
May 16, 2016 | Softball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Following a record-breaking weekend, Oregon State freshman right-handed pitcher Meehra Nelson was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Monday morning.
This is the second Pac-12 Freshman of the Week award this season for Nelson, who also earned the award on Feb. 17. This also marks the third weekly award Nelson has received from the conference this season, as the Simi Valley, Calif. native was named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week on March 1.
Nelson earns the award after polishing off a dominant pair of outings in a two-game sweep of Arizona State. Before breaking the single-season saves record the next day, Nelson got the Beavers off to a strong start with a three-hit, complete-game shutout on Thursday to outduel Arizona State's Kelsey Kessler in a 1-0 win.
On Friday, the freshman righty sealed a Beaver series victory to help propel the team into the postseason for the first time since 2013, retiring the Sun Devils in order in the seventh inning to earn the save and close out a 4-3 win.
Friday's save was her seventh of the season, setting the new program record for saves in a single season. Her seventh save broke what was previously a four-way tie with Paige Hall (2012), Monica Hoffman (2004) and Tarrah Beyster (1999).
Nelson is 16-8 this season with a 2.96 ERA and 196 strikeouts, the second-highest strikeout total of any freshman in the nation and most amongst freshmen in power conferences.
Nelson, the only Pac-12 player to be named a finalist for the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I National Freshman of the Year, leads all Pac-12 freshmen in strikeouts, innings pitched (160.2), batting average against (.193), batters struck out looking (64), appearances and saves. She paces all Pac-12 pitchers in the latter three categories.
The Oregon State softball team opens NCAA Tournament play on Friday with a matchup against USC Upstate in the opening game of the Auburn Regional. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. PT (3:30 p.m. CT).
For more information on the Oregon State softball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/OregonStateSB, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateSB or on Instagram at Instagram.com/OregonStateSB.
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