University of Houston Athletics
Crabtree Named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week
2/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 21, 2011
HOUSTON - Senior right-handed pitcher Amanda Crabtree earned Conference USA Pitcher of the Week honors for a pair of stellar performances during the Cougars' 5-0 weekend at the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic.
Crabtree (4-0) had a career weekend, throwing her first career no-hitter against Nicholls State and following that performance with a three-hit shutout in an eight-inning pitching dual against No. 16 LSU. Her work helped Houston (8-1) beat three nationally ranked opponents in the same weekend for the first time in program history.
On Friday night against Nicholls State, the senior went the distance, throwing all seven innings and fanning 11 batters en route to the no-no. After nearly tossing her first no-hitter last weekend at the Cougars' Hilton Houston Plaza Invitational in what looked to be a five-inning run rule, she allowed one hit in the top of the sixth to break up the bid. She refused to the opportunity pass twice, as she left six Nicholls State runners on base in the two-hour contest, while dropping her opposing batting average to a miniscule .074.
Against the Tigers, Crabtree threw a brilliant game, allowing just three hits - two of which were infield singles - in her eight innings of work. As the game grew in intensity and pressure, Crabtree responded by leaving Tiger runners on third base in both the top of the seventh and the top of the eighth to give her team the chance to support her offensively. Teammate Reina Gaber provided that support with a pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to give the Cougars the win and move Crabtree to 4-0 on the season.
The senior struck out another 11 in the contest, bringing her total to 46 on the season with a 0.52 ERA.
Crabtree is the first Houston ace to receive the C-USA Pitcher of the Week recognition since Bailey Watts did so on April 12, 2010.
Crabtree and the Cougars will look to extend its eight-game win streak when they travel to Huntsville, Texas to face Sam Houston State for their first road game of the season Wednesday. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m.
