Carbondale, Ill. – Southern Illinois freshman Maddia Groff was named the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher and Newcomer of the Week as announced by the league Tuesday afternoon. This marks the second time this season Groff has won both awards in the same week.
Stats from (4/8 – 4/14): 17.1 IP, 3 GP, 2 CG, 3-0, 31 K, 10 H, 3 BB, 1 R, .164 opp. avg., 0.40 ERA
Groff made her first start of the week at the University of Illinois for a midweek makeup game with the Illini. The lefty went all seven innings, giving up just one run while striking out eight. She wrapped up non-conference action with a 3-0 record against Big Ten opponents.
Moving back into MVC action over the weekend, Groff and the Salukis swept Evansville while outscoring it 33-4. Groff made the start on Friday in the series opener and went four of the five innings needed in the run-rule victory, while once again fanning eight.
The freshman set a new season-high on Sunday as she struck out 15 batters including 10 straight. Groff has reached 10 strikes out twice this season before Sunday but had never surpassed the number at the collegiate level. In 6.1 innings of work, she struck out 15 of the 22 batters she faced, allowing just a pair of singles and a walk in the Salukis’ 4-1 win to complete the sweep.
On the season, Maddia ranks second in the nation in ERA (0.74) and wins (21). The Salukis staff leads the MVC and ranks seventh in the nation with a 1.74 earned run average.
