University of North Georgia senior Courtney Poole was named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II National Pitcher of the Week for games played March 14-20, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced Wednesday afternoon.
Poole delivered another outstanding weekly performance in the circle for the No. 8 Nighthawks. She tossed back-to-back no-hitters on the road and finished the week, 6-0, only allowing one earned run (0.15 ERA), with four shutouts and 49 strikeouts. Picking up her sixth Peach Belt weekly honor, Poole garners her first NFCA accolade this season and second overall.
"We are very excited for the national recognition that Courtney has received," head coach Mike Davenport said. "She has worked extremely hard over her four years here at UNG and the results are a direct reflection of that. Courtney is nearing some very prestigious softball milestones here at UNG but she will be the first to tell you that her teammates also deserve much of the credit that she is receiving and that shows what a great teammate she is."
The 2015 Schutt Sports/NFCA National Player of the Year opened the week with a pair of extra-inning wins at Flagler, tossing a total of 21 frames and allowing just one unearned run and striking out 17. Poole's back-to-back no-hitters came on March 16 at Georgia Southwestern. She started with an 11-strikeout performance and continued her form into game two, fanning eight more in a five-inning win. The right-handed hurler closed out the week with a pair of wins over conference foe Francis Marion, including a three-hit shutout in the second game of the twin bill.
North Georgia returns to action on Friday with a doubleheader at Columbus State. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Cougar Field.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/3/379618/courtney-poole-named-louisville-sluggernfca-national-pitcher-of-the-week