5/22/15
OKLAHOMA CITY | University of North Georgia junior pitcher Courtney Poole has won the inaugural Schutt Sports/NFCA National Player of the Year Award. A committee of coaches from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association voted on the award, given to the best softball position player or pitcher.
“I’m very honored to be selected as National Player of the Year,” Poole said. “I just want to thank my family, my coaches and my teammates. This would not have been possible without their help and support.”
Poole edged out two fellow pitchers that made up the top-three: Hannah Perryman of Missouri-St. Louis and Jenelle Trautmann of Augustana (S.D.).
The Watkinsville, Ga., native leads the NCAA – in all divisions – in victories with 42 on the year. She sports an impressive 0.90 ERA thus far in NCAA Tournament with a perfect 5-0 record while holding opponents to a .142 batting average.
Poole won the award despite not appearing on the initial Top 50 watch list that was published prior to the start of the season. The UNG ace has struck out 335 in 300.2 innings pitched this season while allowing just 29 walks for an eye-popping 11.6 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
