Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Brianna Jones named MVC Pitcher and Newcomer of the Week
02/29/2016 | 12:00:00 | Softball
ST. LOUIS - Southern Illinois softball pitcher Brianna Jones was named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher and Newcomer of the Week, the league announced Monday. Jones, a freshman, earned her second Pitcher of the Week award after her third week of collegiate pitching.
Jones threw complete-game shutouts in wins over Providence and Colgate this past weekend, earning both of SIU's wins. She had 16 strikeouts in 15 innings and had an 0.47 ERA in three appearances. In her six starts this season, Jones has thrown a nation-leading five shutouts. No other MVC pitcher has more than two shutouts yet this season, and Jones threw two over the weekend. She lowered her season ERA to an MVC-best 1.26.
Jones threw a two-hit shutouts against Providence in SIU's 10-0 run-rule win. She backed it up with a seven-inning three-hitter against Colgate the next day, striking out nine. She needed just 65 pitches for the five-inning shutout and just 77 pitches for the seven-inning shutout. She held opponents to a .140 batting average against her.
Jones earned Newcomer of the Week for the first time this season and Pitcher of the Week for the second time. She was also named Pitcher of the Week after throwing two shutouts with a 0.00 ERA on opening weekend.
Loyola's Erica Nagel was named MVC Player of the Week.
Jones and the Salukis have their home openers this weekend at Charlotte West Stadium. SIU hosts the Coach B Classic on March 5-6, welcoming Butler, Eastern Illinois and Kansas to Carbondale for the weekend.
