After hurling a shutout and 16 strikeouts for Illinois State(8-9, 3-0) in two of three wins over the Creighton Bluejays last weekend, Audra Rast was voted Valley pitcher of the week.
Rast, a native of Tuscon, Ariz., threw eight innings in the first game of the series, which included five strikeouts and only four hits leading the Birds to a 1-0 defeat over the Bluejays. In the third game, Rast tallied a career-high 11 strikeouts in the Redbirds third win over the Jays, 4-2, leaving the weekend with an impressive 0.00 ERA.
The junior right-hander has tossed 56 strikeouts in 60 innings for the Birds thus far this season and is currently carrying a 1.28 ERA and a 6-2 overall record.
Earlier this season, Rast made a name for herself in Tempe, Ariz., when she threw the first no-hitter of her career in a win over Michigan State, 8-0, in five innings of play at the Louisville Slugger Classic hosted by Arizona State.
The Redbirds are set to play Bradley in a double header on Saturday at noon and 2 p.m. and a single game on Sunday at noon at the Bradley Complex in Peoria.
