March 2, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - West Florida Softball Pitchers have earned three straight Weekly Honors. Taren Walton is the latest pitcher to be named the Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week. Walton hurled back to back shutouts this past weekend, including a no-hitter, to earn the honors. The Senior from Pensacola, Florida, defeated Northern Kentucky 3-0, allowing only four hits and striking out nine hitters. Just one day earlier, Walton defeated Bellarmine 3-0, while hurling the Argos first no-hitter of the season, while striking out 11 batters.
Just one week ago, Emily Burge was named the GSC pitcher of the week, as she also pitched back to back shutouts for the Argos. Burge defeated Eckerd 5-0, and Tampa by a 1-0 score. In the two complete games, the Junior from Pace, Florida, scattered only 8 hits in 14 innings, while striking out nine batters.
Since the season started, six awards have been given for Softball, and the Argos have won four of the six awards. The first week of the season, the West Florida softball team swept the Gulf South Conference's weekly Awards. Argos Third Baseman Nicky VanCamp earned the Player of the Week award, while teammate Jillian LaFrance was tabbed the pitcher of the week. Nicky VanCamp (Sr / Davemport, Iowa) blasted two homeruns and drove in six runs in the four games for UWF during the week. Pitcher Jillian LaFrance (So / Calgary, Alberta) started two games the first weekend and won both games with complete game efforts, including a four hit shutout and a 3-1 win in the other game.
So far this season, the West Florida pitching staff of Burge, Walton, and LaFrance has combined for a conference best ERA of 1.69, with 12 complete games and six shutouts. Burge leads the way with a 0.62 ERA, and three shutouts. The pitchers have combined for 79 strikeouts and only 19 walks in 95 innings pitched. The outstanding pitching has helped the Argos to a 10-4 record to start the 2008 season.