Feb. 27, 2012
Read John Denton's Knights Insider | Follow us on Twitter | Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF senior pitcher Ali Schmidt (Cordova, Md.) was selected as the Conference USA Softball Pitcher of the Week Monday, the league office announced. Schmidt went 2-0 with a 0.93 ERA in three appearances against Seton Hall, Jacksonville and Eastern Michigan last week.
The transfer from Philadelphia College had the best start of her career against Eastern Michigan on Feb. 25. Schmidt pitched seven innings, allowing just five hits and one earned run with no walks while striking out a career-high 12. The 12 punch-outs were the most by any Knights' pitcher this season.
Schmidt began the week by picking up a victory over Seton Hall on Feb. 24 after pitching seven innings and giving up four hits and one run. Schmidt also struck out a then-career best seven hitters against the Pirates. Schmidt also threw one perfect inning in a relief appearance against Jacksonville.
The conference honor is the first career award for Schmidt, who has been arguably the most pleasant surprise for head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie's squad this season. Schmidt currently has a 3-1 record and leads the team with a 1.00 ERA. She has only allowed 27 hits in 35 innings and has recorded 30 strikeouts while holding opponents hitters to just a .208 batting average.
This is the first C-USA Softball Player of the Week award for the Knights since senior Tawny Swan (Gilbert, Ariz.) won the award in May 2011.
Schmidt and the Knights will return to action Tuesday when UCF hosts Eastern Michigan at 5 p.m. at the UCF Softball Complex.