Junior Audra Rast, a native of Tucson, Ariz., was named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season after she led the Illinois State Redbirds to three victories this past week, including a 5-1 defeat of No. 19 Iowa and 5-3 win over Southern Illinois to push the Birds into first place in the conference standings.
The right-handed hurler had five strikeouts in the Redbird win over the Hawkeyes, her second of the year against Iowa, and walked only two batters. Entering this past weekends competition against the Salukis of Southern Illinois, Rast had five wins in a row and an ERA of 0.00 in Valley play.
Starting two of three games against Southern Illinois, Rast struck out 15 Saluki batters in 13 innings of play, defeating SIU 10-2 (six innings) and 5-3. Rasts performances have helped the Illinois State softball team post a league-best 7-1 record and 13-11 overall mark.
Named was also tabbed pitcher of the week on March 18 after taking two from Creighton in the conference season opener. She pitched 15 innings in two wins and scattered 10 hits with no earned runs while striking out 16 Creighton batters.
Rast has a current team-best ERA of 1.29 and 10-2 record in 2002. In 15 appearances this season, Rast has 86 strike outs and has allowed only 16 earned runs in 87 innings pitched.
