Softball: LSWA Selects Stewart for Pitcher of the Week Honors

LAFAYETTE – Alex Stewart started in the pitching circle setting the tone for both of the Ragin’ Cajuns shutouts in the weekend series with Troy at Lamson Park and on Tuesday was awarded Louisiana Sportswriters Association (LSWA) Softball Pitcher of the Week honors.
 
In her two starts, both combined shutouts, Stewart limited Troy to just one hit, struck out 12 and faced only two over the minimum in seven innings of work. She wound up striking out 12 of the 23 total batters she faced and retired the Trojans in order in five of the seven innings.
 
Morgan Turkoly of Louisiana Tech had hits in 8-of-13 at bats with nine RBI and two homers in Tech’s 4-0 week to secure hitting honors.
 
Stewart joins Aleah Craighton, who was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, in collecting a weekly award for the Ragin’ Cajuns this week.
 
Below is a capsule of Stewart’s performance last weekend vs. Troy:
 
LSWA PITCHER OF THE WEEK (April 11, 2017)
ALEX STEWART – LOUISIANA – Sr., P, Zionsville, Ind.
Team Results: 3-0 vs. Troy: 3-1, 11-0 (5), 11-0 (5)
 
Alex Stewart started in the pitching circle and set the tone for both of the Ragin’ Cajuns shutouts in the weekend series with Troy at Lamson Park. In her two starts, both combined shutouts, Stewart limited Troy to just one hit, struck out 12 and faced only two over the minimum in seven innings of work. She wound up striking out 12 of the 23 total batters she faced and retired the Trojans in order in five of the seven innings. Stewart’s effort was efficient, utilizing nearly the same amount of pitches in both outings – 41 pitches on Saturday and 40 pitches on Sunday. She reached at least five strikeouts in both starts, increasing the number of times reaching the mark to five times in six SBC starts. Stewart took control in Game 2 on Saturday, collecting three strikeouts in the first inning and ending with three innings of hitless softball pitched. After the Trojans placed a runner on third base with one out in the second inning of Sunday’s series finale, she ended the scoring threat with back-to-back strikeouts – the first of five straight she would strikeout through the end of the third inning – to preserve the shutout.