DENTON, Texas (2/21/12) -- North Texas sophomore Ashley Kirk was named Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week for her dominating performance at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Classic, as announced by the conference office on Monday.
The recognition is the second for Kirk and the first for the North Texas softball team this season. The Mean Green went 3-0 at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Classic at Lovelace Stadium this past weekend, improving its overall record to 4-3.
Kirk was voted tournament MVP after leading the Mean Green with a 0.00 ERA. She picked up her first win of the season in the Mean Green's 5-0 victory against Missouri State. She tied her own school record for single-game strikeouts with 14. She pitched a seven-inning shutout, allowing just three hits.
She picked up her first career save in the win against Wichita State. With the Mean Green ahead, Kirk came in to pitch the final 1.2 innings and allowed just one batter to reach base. Among the tournament leaders, she was tied for first with an ERA of 0.00 and third with 18 strikeouts.
With the 18 strikeouts, Kirk moved into fourth place in career strikeouts at North Texas with 188. She already holds the school records for strikeouts in a single game and single season.
