University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota's Hassett Leads Nation in Strikeouts
3/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
University of Minnesota senior pitcher Briana Hassett owns the top strikeout figure in NCAA Division I softball through games of March 22, according to statistical rankings released by the NCAA Wednesday afternoon.
Hassett, this week’s Big Ten Pitcher of the Week, has struck out a career-high 278 batters this season, well ahead of Troy University’s Ashlyn Williams, who ranks second with 216 strikeouts. The rest of the Top 10 includes Whitney Canion, Baylor (210); Danielle Lawrie, Washington (208); Morgan Melloh, Fresno State (194); Danielle Spaulding, UNC (176); Brittany Weil, Iowa (166); Lisa Norris, UNC (156); Donna Kerr, UCLA (152); and Anna Thompson, Auburn (150).
In addition, Hassett is tied for second in victories (18), and ranks seventh for strikeouts per 7-inning game (10.6).
She has already surpassed her 2008 total of 276 strikeouts just two games into Big Ten play, and is on pace to shatter Minnesota’s single-season record for strikeouts. That record is currently held by Gopher assistant coach Piper Marten, who registered 311 Ks during 2003. Marten also had a total of 301 during 2002.
A second-team all-Big Ten selection last season, Hassett currently leads the Big Ten in wins (18), appearances (33), games started (29), complete games (22), shutouts (12), innings pitched (184 1/3), and strikeouts (278).
Hassett also is moving up several of Minnesota’s career pitching charts, currently ranking second for strikeouts (826) and shutouts (29), third for complete games (71), and fourth for wins (56).
Minnesota continues Big Ten play this weekend, when it travels to West Lafayette, Ind., for a pair of games against the Purdue Boilermakers. Saturday’s first pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. CT.
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