University of Houston Athletics
Outon Named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week
5/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 2, 2011
HOUSTON - University of Houston freshman pitcher Diedre Outon was named the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week for the first time in her career after claiming two wins against East Carolina during the week of April 25-May 2.
Outon (5-2) posted a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA against East Carolina on the Pirates' home field, striking out nine while not allowing a single run last weekend. Combined with senior Amanda Crabtree's five weekly honors this season, the Cougars now hold six of the league's 12 Pitcher of the Week awards in 2011.
Earning her first conference weekly award, Outon becomes just the second freshman to win the honor this year. Tulsa's Aimee Creger is the only other C-USA rookie on that list.
Making just her second start against a C-USA opponent, Outon took the circle in the second game of the series. She threw an efficient complete-game shutout, using 86 pitches to toss the first one-hitter of her career. She also struck out five without surrendering a walk.
In the series finale, Outon again was called upon to quiet the ECU bats. After the Pirates plated three runs in the fourth inning on Sunday, Outon entered the game in relief and threw one pitch for one out to end the only inning in which ECU scored over the weekend.
The Pflugerville, Texas native, would go on to throw six innings of scoreless relief, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out four on Sunday. Once Houston rallied to take the lead in the top of the 10th, Outon used a double play and a ground out to face the minimum in the Pirates' final at bat to preserve the 5-3 victory.
With her 13.1 innings of scoreless work, Outon lowered her overall ERA to 1.78 to help lower the Cougars' C-USA-leading team ERA to 1.35.
UP NEXT
Outon and the Cougars (36-15, 16-5) will battle for sole possession of the regular-season C-USA title when Houston welcomes Central Florida to Cougar Softball Stadium, May 7-8.
Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m./3 p.m. with the series finale slated for Sunday at noon. All five of the Cougar seniors will be recognized during the final weekend at home.
