UCF junior pitcher Shelby Turnier earns first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honors

April 7, 2015

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 7, 2015

 

UCF junior pitcher Shelby Turnier earns first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honors

 

OKLAHOMA CITY — Two complete games, including an extra-inning thriller, helped land UCF's junior pitcher Shelby Turnier (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) her first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honors the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball announced today.  Helping the Knights improve their record to 36-6, Turnier pitched two complete game wins to help the No. 18 UCF softball team to a series win at Tulsa, their first since the 2007 season.

 

“​It's such an honor to be recognized as the USA Softball Player of the Week, but I have to share the credit," said Turnier.  "I'm so proud of my team for pushing through this weekend and never giving up, especially during the 16-inning game. I think it really shows how bad we want to win and how far we're willing to go in order to reach our goals this season."

 

Turnier was 2-0 on the week with a near-perfect 0.30 ERA, 21 strikeouts and just three walks in 23 total innings in the circle. In the Friday series opener, Turnier tossed the entire 16 frames, tying her season high with 14 strikeouts to earn the win while also setting a new school record for innings pitched.  Throughout the 16-innings, Turnier gave up just two walks and one earned run as the Knights overcame Tulsa 2-1.

 

On Saturday in the series finale, Turnier went the distance, posting her eighth shutout of the season to give the Knights their third American Athletic Conference series win of the season.  Throughout the seven innings, Turnier struck out seven Tulsa batters while issuing just three hits and one walk.

 

“This is an incredible honor for Shelby. She has been so solid for us all season," said UCF Head Coach Renee Luers-Gillispie.  "It’s absolutely fantastic for her to be the first UCF player to be named the USA Softball Player of the Week. Last weekend at Tulsa, she pitched a 16-inning game and came right back the next day to toss a seven-inning shutout. That’s how she is; she is willing to do whatever it takes for our team to be successful.”

 

After earning two wins last week, Turnier improved her season record to 18-5 and now holds a 0.72 ERA, the lowest in the country.  The Florida native also leads the nation with eight shutouts.  This is the first USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week honor for Turnier and the first for a UCF Knight.

 

UCF will now face off against Stetson in a standalone game before hosting American Athletic Conference rival Houston at home for a three game series.

 

2015 USA Softball National Collegiate Players of the Week
Week 1 (Feb. 5-8): Taylor Schoblocher - North Texas - Junior - Utility – Forney, Texas

Week 2 (Feb. 9-15): Lauren Haeger - Florida - Senior - Pitcher/1B – Peoria, Ariz.

Week 3 (Feb. 16-22): Jenna Lilley - Oregon - Freshman - Infield - North Canton, Ohio

Week 4 (Feb. 23 - March 1): Sierra Lawrence - Michigan - Junior - Outfield - Snellville, Ga.

Week 5 (March 2-8): Emily Carosone - Auburn - Junior - Outfield - Orlando, Fla.

Week 6 (March 9-15): Bianka Bell - LSU - Junior - Infield - Tampa, Fla.

Week 7 (March 16-22): Megan Good - James Madison - Freshman - Pitcher/Infielder - Mount Sidney, Va.

Week 8 (March 23-29): Geri Ann Glasco - Oregon - Junior - DP/Pitcher - Watkinsville, Ga.

Week 9 (March 30 - April 5): Shelby Turnier - UCF - Junior - Pitcher - Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

 

 

About ASA/USA Softball 
Founded in 1933, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball is the National Governing Body Softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. One of the nation’s largest sports organizations, ASA/USA Softball sanctions competition in every state through a network of 74 local associations and has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 165,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than 2.5 million.  ASA/USA is responsible for training, equipping and promoting the six USA Softball National Teams that compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won nine World Championship titles as well as claimed eight World Cup of Softball titles. For more information about ASA/USA Softball, please visit http://www.asausasoftball.com/.

 

About the NCAA Women’s College World Series
The ASA Hall of Fame Stadium serves as the home to the NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS). For the 25^th year, the top eight college teams in the nation will head to Oklahoma City and complete for a National Championship title. Last year, nearly 70,000 fans attended the WCWS. Experience It Live May 28 to June 3 in Oklahoma City. Tickets for the 2015 NCAA WCWS are on sale now, click here to purchase your tickets and make a date with champions!

 

 

Codi Warren

 

Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

Amateur Softball Association of America/USA Softball

Office 405.425.3431 | Cell 405. 420. 2817