Link: USA South Release
Abbey Gardner of the LaGrange College softball team pitched 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief during an 11-4 win over Greensboro on Saturday afternoon at the LC Softball Complex, and then the freshman standout earned USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Week accolades on Monday.
Gardner earned the win in the victory over Greensboro during the second game of a doubleheader, improving to 2-0 in the circle during her rookie campaign. Gardner posted her first victory for the Panthers (3-3), with a complete-game effort during a 10-1 win in five innings over the University of Dallas on Feb. 23. She relinquished only one run and four hits, while striking out four batters.
"We are blessed to have an outstanding pitching staff, which pushes and supports each other," said Panthers head coach Jennifer Claybrook. "Abbey is definitely a great addition and is very deserving of this honor. She contributes in every facet of the game, which includes pitching, offense and defense. What I respect most about Abbey is her appreciation for her teammates and her grit. I am excited to see the ways in which Abbey continues to contribute to our team."
During Game 2 of the Panthers' doubleheader against the Pride on Saturday, Gardner entered the game in the top of the second with two outs, a runner on second and the Panthers losing, 4-2. The Bainbridge, Georgia, native got out of the jam, forcing Alexis Sox of Greensboro to line out to right field.
A three-run home run by junior Rebekah Hobson gave the Panthers a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the third, and that run support was more than enough for Gardner. She did not give up any runs and only three hits over the final 5 1/3 innings, as LaGrange added on another run in the fourth and five more in the sixth. Gardner retired the side in order during the fourth inning.
Gardner leads the Panthers in wins (2), pitching appearances (4), strikeouts (8) and innings pitched (17.2), while she also maintains the 10th-lowest ERA (1.98) in the USA South.
The first-year collegiate player has also done a fantastic job on the offensive end. Gardner is maintaining a .389 batting average, to go along with a .421 on-base percentage and a .667 slugging percentage. She has scored a team-high seven runs, while recording seven hits, two doubles and a home run.
The Panthers are scheduled to play Birmingham-Southern in a doubleheader on Wednesday, with game times set for 4 and 6 p.m., respectively, at the LC Softball Complex.
