April 18, 2006
TEMPE, Ariz. - Sophomore pitcher Katie Burkhart has been named the Pac-10 Softball Pitcher of the Week for Apr. 11-17, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today.
The San Luis Obispo, Calif. native jumped into the NCAA record books for the second consecutive week, striking out 22 in a 4-2, 10-inning victory over Arizona on Friday. The mark ties her for sixth in NCAA history for strikeouts. She also sits in fifth place on the strikeout list, after her 23-strikeout performance against Washington last weekend.
Burkhart pitched the complete 10 innings in the win over Arizona, which marked ASU's first victory over the Wildcats since Mar. 16, 2002, and first home victory since Apr. 21, 2000. She has pitched five complete extra-innings games so far this season.
On the weekend, Burkhart garnered a 0.68 ERA with 26 strikeouts, holding Wildcat batters to a .136 average.
A 2004-05 honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection, Burkhart led the Sun Devils with a 1.52 ERA in 184.1 innings. She struck out 220 batters, good for sixth all-time in ASU history.
Arizona State (3-3, 39-6), travels to the Bay Area this weekend for games against California and Stanford.
This is Burkhart's third Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week award and Arizona State's 45th weekly honor all-time.