Harrell named SoCon Pitcher of the Week for second time this season

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - UNC Greensboro senior Amber Harrell has been named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week for games April 12-18, the league office announced Monday.

Harrell went 2-0 with a 0.58 ERA on the weekend, allowing just six hits and one earned run and striking out 15 in 12 innings over three games against Western Carolina.

The McDonough, Ga., native also became UNCG's career strikeout leader over the weekend, breaking the school record with nine Saturday. Needing just four for the record, Harrell struck out four of the game's first five batters. She also flirted with her first career no-hitter in the 15-1, game-one win, falling three outs shy of it before allowing an RBI single in the top of the fifth.

Harrell came on in relief in Saturday's second game, tossing two innings of hitless, scoreless relief.

In Sunday's 17-1 win over the Catamounts, Harrell struck out six - pushing her career total to 577 - and allowed a run on five hits in grabbing her eighth win of the season and clinching UNCG's second straight series win.

The award is Harrell's second of the season and the fourth of her career.

UNCG improved to 19-22 overall and 8-6 in the SoCon over the weekend, moving up into a tie for third place in the league standings. The top four teams advance to the SoCon tournament at the conclusion of the regular season.

The Spartans return to action Thursday when they host crosstown rival North Carolina A&T for a doubleheader at UNCG Softball Stadium. First pitch for game one is set for 3 p.m.

- UNCG -