STARKVILLE, Miss. – Sophomore Chelsea Thomas of Missouri threw two perfect games last week to earn her the title of NFCA Division I National Player of the Week for games played between Feb. 28 and Mar. 6. Thomas went 3-0 in three appearances last week with all three wins coming via shutout. She allowed just three hits and one walk over 20 innings of work while fanning 36 batters.
The Pleasantville, Iowa native began her week last Wednesday by recording the first seven-inning perfect game for the Tigers since 1991 against Drake. On Friday, Thomas took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but ended by allowing just three hits. On Sunday, she capped off her historic week by throwing another perfect game, this time a six –inning gem against Missouri-Kansas City. The two no-hitters last week now give her six for her career.
Thomas recorded 10 or more strikeouts in each of her three appearances last week and limited her opponents to a miniscule .047 batting average. Currently, Thomas is 3-2 on the year with a 0.60 ERA and has 57 strikeouts to just four walks.
The 18th-ranked Tigers are now 11-3 on the year after going a perfect 6-0 last week. This week, Missouri play host to a mid-week game with Arkansas and the DeMarini Invitational featuring regional rivals Illinois and Illinois State.
Other Top Performances
Tennessee’s Kat Dotson went 10-for-15 on the week with 13 RBI, three home runs and four stolen bases… Keilani Ricketts of Oklahoma pitched the Sooners to four wins on the week, while striking out 32… New Mexico State’s Hoku Nohara hit .500 over five games for the Aggies while blasting six home runs… Carly Hummell of Memphis recorded 19 of her team’s 25 outs against No. 22 Texas A&M via strikeout and allowed just two hits and no earned runs in the 1-0 loss…
NFCA DI National Player of the Week
Mar. 8 – Chelsea Thomas – Missouri – So. – P – Pleasantville, Iowa
Mar. 1 – Lori Spignola – North Carolina – Fr. – P – Atlanta, Ga.
Feb. 22 – Stephanie Brombacher – Florida – Sr. – P – Pembroke Pine, Fla.
Feb. 15 – Gabrielle Bridges – La-Lafayette – Sr. – 1B – Lafitte, La.
