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Wilkey Earns Preseason Honor from D1Softball
2/6/2023 3:14:00 PM | Softball
The graduate pitcher is one of three Houston players recognized
HOUSTON – University of Houston graduate pitcher Kenna Wilkey was named the preseason American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year by D1Softball. Wilkey also joins Paige Hulsey and Turiya Coleman on the publication's list of the top 20 players in the conference.
Wilkey earns D1Softball's preseason recognition as the top projected pitcher in The American. She's also tabbed as the 10th best player in the league entering the season.
Wilkey is coming off of a 9-10 season in the circle with a 3.79 ERA in 2022. An American Athletic All-Conference second team honoree, she was named conference pitcher of the week once last season after tossing 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts against East Carolina.
The graduate student has twirled a 3.41 career ERA in 451.2 innings in the circle, tossing eight shutouts and 26 complete games. The Braidwood, Ill., native has a 42-23 record with six saves, adding 386 strikeouts to her totals.
Hulsey, a senior, was placed at No. 19 on the power rankings of top American Athletic Conference players. She hit .286 last season in 43 games and 91 at-bats, scoring 18 runs with a .387 on-base percentage. She also stole 13 bases and hit four doubles.
Earning the year at No. 20 on D1Softball's AAC Power Rankings, Coleman arrived in Houston for the 2023 campaign following a year playing for the national champion Oklahoma. With the Sooners, she hit with a .231/.286/.462 slash, adding in a home run and five RBIs in 13 at bats last season.
Houston opens the season at 6 p.m., Thursday as Virginia visits the Cougar Softball Stadium. The Cougars play South Dakota State, Lamar, Nebraska, Virginia again and Delaware in the campaign's opening weekend.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
Wilkey earns D1Softball's preseason recognition as the top projected pitcher in The American. She's also tabbed as the 10th best player in the league entering the season.
Wilkey is coming off of a 9-10 season in the circle with a 3.79 ERA in 2022. An American Athletic All-Conference second team honoree, she was named conference pitcher of the week once last season after tossing 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts against East Carolina.
The graduate student has twirled a 3.41 career ERA in 451.2 innings in the circle, tossing eight shutouts and 26 complete games. The Braidwood, Ill., native has a 42-23 record with six saves, adding 386 strikeouts to her totals.
Hulsey, a senior, was placed at No. 19 on the power rankings of top American Athletic Conference players. She hit .286 last season in 43 games and 91 at-bats, scoring 18 runs with a .387 on-base percentage. She also stole 13 bases and hit four doubles.
Earning the year at No. 20 on D1Softball's AAC Power Rankings, Coleman arrived in Houston for the 2023 campaign following a year playing for the national champion Oklahoma. With the Sooners, she hit with a .231/.286/.462 slash, adding in a home run and five RBIs in 13 at bats last season.Houston opens the season at 6 p.m., Thursday as Virginia visits the Cougar Softball Stadium. The Cougars play South Dakota State, Lamar, Nebraska, Virginia again and Delaware in the campaign's opening weekend.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
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