April 15, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky freshman pitcher Kelsey Nunley has been named the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week after becoming the first player in school history to win 20 games in the circle in a single season, the league office announced Monday.

Nunley went 3-0 on the week for Kentucky, earning wins against Marshall, Eastern Kentucky University and highly ranked Florida. Her best outing of the week came against the No. 3 Gators, throwing a complete game, allowing only two runs on three hits with eight strikeouts. The rookie followed that performance with 4.2 strong innings in relief Sunday against Florida. For the week, Nunley had a 1.64 ERA, throwing 25.2 innings with 15 strikeouts and only six earned runs.

The win against Florida moved Nunley’s record to 20-4 on the year, making her the first player in school history to win 20 games in a season. The native of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., passed former stars Chanda Bell and Keary Camunas on UK’s single-season list as the only three players that have won 19 games in a season. Currently, Nunley ranks eighth on the single-season strikeout list with 132.

For the year, Nunley has a 2.02 ERA with 14 complete games in 16 starts, including two shutouts and a save. Nunley has thrown a team-high 173 innings in the circle this season with opponents hitting .210 against her.

Kentucky (31-12, 9-6 SEC) begins a five-game road trip this week with a doubleheader at Middle Tennessee State University on Wednesday before a three-game set this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark., against Arkansas.

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