Feb. 26, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
After helping the Illinois State softball team to a 4-1 record last weekend, senior pitcher Shannon Nicholson has been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic All-Tournament team, the organization announced Monday.
Nicholson earned every decision in the circle for the Redbirds on the weekend, posting a 4-1 record. Picking up wins over No. 18 Georgia and No. 16/17 Baylor, as well as Coastal Carolina and Lehigh, the senior right-hander posted a 0.89 ERA in 23.2 innings of work. She started three games for Illinois State, but appeared in all five, coming in to pitch in the sixth inning to earn the wins over Coastal Carolina (5-4) and Lehigh (10-2).
Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer felt that Nicholson was quite deserving of the honor.
"Obviously we faced some great competition this weekend and I thought Shannon did a tremendous job against those teams," said Fischer. "Shannon really stepped it up this weekend and helped us in both a starting role and a relief role. She was able to compete in key situations and mix her pitches effectively against both speed and power. I'm proud of Shannon and this recognition is well deserved."
The Chatham, Ill., native scattered 17 hits and walked eight batters, giving up only five runs in the `Birds five games at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. One of just 15 players named to the team, Nicholson pitched 6.1 solid innings against Baylor on Sunday, earning the win as ISU tied for the silver bracket championship title.
On the year, the co-captain leads the team in decisions with a 6-3 overall record in 12 appearances and eight starts. She has pitched 52 total innings, giving up just 17 hits, walking 14 batters and earning 10 runs in 15 games.
