University of Massachusets Athletics
Balschmiter Named UMass/Dinn Bros. Athlete of the Week
April 28, 2008 | Softball
April 28, 2008
AMHERST, Mass. - Junior pitcher Brandice Balschmiter (Newark, N.Y.) has been named the UMass/Dinn Bros. Athlete of the Week for the week of April 27.
Balschmiter went 3-0 last week, allowing no runs with striking out 16 batters in just 14 innings. She also pitched her third no-hitter of the season against UConn on April 23. Against the Huskies, she struck out seven batters over seven innings in the 6-0 victory at UConn. She also threw three shutout innings in a 14-0 rout against St. Louis, giving up two hits while striking out three on April 25. The next day, she pitched four innings in a 9-0 win over St. Louis, giving up three hits while striking out six.
Balschmiter has now pitched 58 consecutive scoreless innings and nearly 85 straight innings pitched without giving up an earned run. For the season, she is 23-6 with an 11-0 record against conference opponents. Her overall earned run average this season is now 0.56 along with a 0.23 earned run average in league play.
The Minutewomen have now won 23 consecutive games after the three wins last week, and clinched the 2008 Atlantic-10 regular season title after the win over St. Louis on April 26. UMass Softball is also 18-0 in conference play this season. They will return to action on April 29 when they host UConn at the UMass Softball Complex. Gametime is set for 5 PM.
Balschmiter will be honored at the UMass Sports Luncheon this Wednesday, April 30. The luncheon will begin at Noon at the Cape Cod Lounge in the Student Union. Guest speakers will include Head Football Coach Don Brown, Men's Track and Field Coach Ken O'Brien, and Women's Track and Field Coach Julie LaFreniere.
