ROSEMONT, Pa. – Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Awards season continues as spring sports come to a close. This morning the conference released their choices for softball season award winners, and sophomore
Jessie Leatherwood earned All-CSAC Second-Team honors, as well as Notre Dame's recipient of the CSAC All-Sportsmanship Award, given to one student-athlete on each team in the CSAC.
Leatherwood, primarily a pitcher but played some shortstop, third base, and outfield as well, made her debut this season with the Gators. On the mound, the lefty finished second in the CSAC with 102 strikeouts on the season in 72 innings pitched. She was the starting pitcher for 13 of the Gators 18 games.
She earned her first career win in the season opening doubleheader against Valley Forge. In game two, she struck out a season high 14 batters in a complete game victory, 6-5
As the season went on, and with limited options, Leatherwood did just about all of the pitching, taking a toll on her arm. After eight games, and an ERA that ballooned to 12.08,
Maci Lopez took some turns on the mound in a starting role, and
Jodie Bronushas returned for the last three doubleheaders as well, starting two games. Aside from two innings in relief against St. Elizabeth, Leatherwood was able to put her pitching energy into on one half of each doubleheader, and her performance dramatically improved.
In her last six appearances, five of them starts, the southpaw pitched 32 innings with 39 punch outs, 12 walks, and an ERA of 4.16. 4.16 would have ranked 10
th best in the conference across the entire season.
Leatherwood was a contributor at the plate, leading the Gators in most statistical categories. Batting average (.449), on-base percentage (.481), slugging percentage (.571), doubles (4), triples (1), and tied teammate
Miranda Burton with a team high 10 RBI.
The future looks bright after a great rookie campaign.
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