May 12, 2009
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IOWA CITY – University of Iowa senior Brittany Weil has been named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) National Player of the Week. The announcement came Tuesday from the NFCA. Weil is the first player in Iowa history to be named NFCA National Player of the Week.
Weil, who was recently named Iowa’s Most Valuable Player, spent last week tearing apart the Iowa record books. She tossed her fifth no-hitter of the season in game one against Wisconsin Wednesday, breaking Iowa’s career record for most hitless games in a career.
Weil followed with two dominating performances against Minnesota to close the regular season. She shattered Iowa’s single-season strikeout record, along with tying the Iowa career record for wins (99), complete games (109) and games pitched (181). Weil fanned 20 batters Saturday to set the new single-season mark at 328.
Weil threw 14-straight shutout innings against the Golden Gophers Saturday. In game one, Weil broke the single-season strikeout mark, recording 11 K’s while allowing five hits. She flirted with another no-hitter in game two, but gave up a single in the top of the seventh. She tossed another complete game shutout, allowing just two hits with only one walk and nine strikeouts.
For the week, Weil went 4-0 with two complete game shutouts and a microscopic 0.30 ERA. She threw 23.3 innings and struck out 32 of the 51 batters she faced.
“I am very honored to receive this award,” Weil said. “My team deserves all the credit. Without the defense behind me or the offense getting runs, we wouldn’t be in such a great spot. I know the entire team wants to carry all this momentum into the NCAA Tournament.”
Weil and the Hawkeyes will take on Auburn Friday at 4 p.m. (CT) in the opening round game of the NCAA Tournament Atlanta Regional.