South Florida pitcher Leigh Ann Ellis has been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week for the week of March 1-7. The senior from Barboursville, W. Va., went 4-0 last week, leading the Bulls to the title at the Speedline Invitational. Ellis improved to 16-3 on the season, earning Most Valuable Player honors at the USF-hosted gala.
"It is an honor to win this award and I have my team to thank for it," said Ellis. "When we perform together as a whole it allows individuals to receive accolades."
Against Mississippi, Ellis tossed a complete-game where she allowed just three hits and one unearned run while striking out seven. She followed it up with a two-hit shutout of Purdue.
She won her third game of the weekend in relief, pitching three innings of shutout softball in a 5-4 win over Illinois-Chicago. Ellis picked up the save in the Bulls' 4-3 triumph over Long Island.
In the tournament final, Ellis again went seven innings, scattering six hits and allowing an unearned run in a 3-1 victory over Baylor.
On the season, Ellis is 16-3 with a 1.11 ERA. She has had a hand in six shutouts, and has tossed 12 complete games in 14 starts.
