GSC POW

Fastpitch News Softball POW

VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State sophomore pitcher Caylie Van Auken was named Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week and Fastpitch News National Pitcher of the Week, both organizations announced Tuesday.  
 
Van Auken, a native of Seminole, Fla., had another outstanding week as she helped lead VSU to a 4-1 record at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla.  Van Auken appeared in three games, posting two complete game shutouts, while recording 23 strikeouts and no walks.  She pitched 17.2 innings on the week, allowing nine hits and one earned run as teams hit just .148 against her. She tallied a 0.40 ERA for the week and allowed just one extra-base hit.  
 
In her two wins this past week against No. 18 Palm Beach Atlantic and No. 19 Lenoir-Rhyne, she tallied a season-high nine strikeouts in each game and fanned five against the University of Tampa in relief.  For the season, Van Auken has not allowed a walk in a team-high 32.2 innings and six appearances with four starts.  She has fanned 36, as teams are hitting just .202 against her for the year. 
 
This is the second-straight week VSU has earned the GSC Pitcher of the Week honor as senior Kasie Johnson was tabbed weekly best last week.  Van Auken earned her first weekly award as a Blazer and is the first National Pitcher of the Week this season for her and the Blazers.  
 
Van Auken was named to the All-Tournament Team for the NFCA Leadoff Classic for her efforts and was nominated for NFCA National Pitcher of the Week.  The NFCA National Pitcher of the Week has not been announced yet. 
 
The No. 22 Blazers open Gulf South Conference play this weekend as they travel to Lee for a three-game series beginning Saturday.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for links to live stats, streaming, ticket information and more.  Following the games, check back with the site for complete recaps and stats of each game.