Tennessee freshman pitcher Ashton Ward (Charlotte, N.C.), has been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I Player of the Week for the week ending February 10, it was announced on Tuesday. 

In her first collegiate weekend wearing the Orange & White, Ward proved to be the ace of the Tennessee staff, going 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 16 innings. Ward earned the victory over Utah State in her collegiate debut before facing then-No. 20 Oregon and then-No. 18 Oregon State. Ward allowed just five total hits during the three contests and pitched a one-hitter in the 5-0 victory over Oregon with eight strikeouts. 

Against Oregon State, Ward entered the game in relief in the second inning with the Lady Vols leading 2-1 and shut down the Beavers on just three hits over six innings as Tennessee went on to an 8-1 victory. Over her 16 innings in the circle at the Cathedral City Kick Off, Ward allowed just one walk. 

The Lady Vols moved up two spots, to No. 4, in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll, which was also announced on Tuesday.