March 30, 2005
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech pitcher Jessica Sallinger has been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Player of the Week for the week of March 21-27, it was announced by the association Wednesday afternoon.
Sallinger, a senior from Kennesaw, Ga., led the 21st-ranked Yellow Jackets to a 4-0 record last week, including an ACC sweep of then-No. 24 Florida State. She finished 3-0, with a 0.00 earned run average, with three complete-game shutouts, one no-hitter, one save and 27 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings pitched.
“It’s an honor,” said Jessica Sallinger. “One of my goals when I came to Georgia Tech was to sweep Florida State and we finally accomplished that goal last weekend. I was very excited when I was able to contribute to that goal and proud of the way the team played.”
She began the week with a complete-game shutout against Stetson, allowing just four hits and striking out four against the Hatters. She then tossed her eighth career no-hitter against FSU on Saturday, striking out 10 and helping Tech snap a nine-game losing streak to the Seminoles.
Sallinger entered the circle to protect a 3-1 lead with the bases loaded and one out in Saturday’s second game, and closed the door with two strikeouts to record her first save of the season.
On Sunday, Sallinger again stymied the FSU offensive attach, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning. With two outs, she surrendered a hit and ended the game with her fourth consecutive complete-game shutout, fanning 11.
“She has been there for us all season,” said Georgia Tech head coach Ehren Earleywine. “We knew that if she could keep Florida State under three runs, we would have a chance to win, the fact that she threw a no-hitter and kept her pitch count down, gave us a chance to use her in the second game when we got into a jam in game two and she picked up a save. It also gave her a chance to be fresh for the game on Sunday and provide us with another superb pitching performance. She exceeded the coaching staff’s expectations this week with the way she pitched. To receive such an honor is great for her and our program.”
Sallinger has not allowed a run in 45 2/3 innings and has pitched 28 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. The ACC’s career strikeout leader, Sallinger sits in eighth place all-time with 1, 244 career strikeouts and is just two wins shy of her 100th career victory.
Tech will take on Chattanooga in a non-conference doubleheader this afternoon at 5 p.m. at Jim Frost Sadium in Chattanooga, Tenn.
-GT SOFTBALL-
