(Photo Courtesy of Missouri State Athletics)
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Missouri State junior pitcher Chelsea Jones has been named this week’s Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday (March 3). The honor is the first of Jones’ career and the third-straight week that an MSU softball player has picked up an award from the league (Bethany Sullinger, Player of the Week, Feb. 17; Erin Struemph, Newcomer of the Week, Feb. 24).
Jones picked up her fourth win of the year and second complete game shutout with a seven-inning 8-0 blanking of Southeast Missouri State on Saturday. She had a season-high five strike outs and scattered just five hits. She did not walk a batter for the fourth consecutive start.
In the process, Jones lowered her season earned run average to 2.21, third-best among league hurlers. Saturday’s game marked the second-straight outing in which Jones did not allow an earned run. Jones is one of just three pitchers tied atop the league with two shutouts this season (along with teammate Struemph).
The Bears are scheduled to travel to Conway, Ark., for a single game at Central Arkansas on Wednesday before wrapping the season-opening road swing in Stillwater, Okla., this weekend (March 7-9) at the Oklahoma State Mizuno Classic.
The Bears’ home opener is next Wednesday, March 12 vs. SIU Edwardsville at 5:00 p.m. That game marks the beginning of a five-game home stand that includes the MVC opening series against Bradley (March 15-16).
