The University of Missouri’s Tori Finucane (Germantown, Md.) had a big week in the circle for the Tigers. The freshman pitched 21 innings leading her team to a three wins including two over then-No. 5 Florida and one over Missouri State.

For her efforts, Tori is this week’s USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today.

“To be recognized by USA Softball is incredibly exciting, but I’ll be sharing that excitement with my teammates here at Mizzou,” said Finucane. “Their support has been great this season and will only continue. The same can be said for my coaches, who’ve helped us get this far this season, and there’s still more games to look forward to.”

Finucane started her standout week with a complete seven-inning, three hit shutout of Missouri State on Wednesday in which she recorded five strikeouts.

The freshman pitcher carried her the momentum into a three-game series with Southeastern Conference (SEC) heavyweight Florida over the weekend. Fanucane controlled game one early as she faced just two batters over the minimum through six innings.  The Gators made a late rally but Fanucane closed the door and secured the 5-3 win of the Tigers.

In the final game of the weekend, Fanucane quickly found her team leading 5-0 after just an inning and a half. Determined not to give up the lead, she managed to get Florida out in four different bases loaded situations. The Maryland native struck out 10 batters and stranded 10 Gators on the bases overall to get the win, her 19th win of the year.

“Tori has stepped in and pitched great this year,” said Missouri Head Coach Ehren Earleywine.  “This past weekend was just a continuation of what she has been doing for us all season long. We are very proud of her, to say the least.”

For the week, Finucane held opponents to a .181 batting average over 21 innings of work and struck out 21 in the process. She was also named the SEC pitcher of the week. This is the first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honor for Tori and the first for a Missouri Tiger since Ashley Fleming earn the award in week nine of the 2012 season.

 

2014 USA Softball National Collegiate Players of the Week
Week 1 (Feb. 6-9): Kylee Lahners – Washington – Junior – Infielder– Laguna Hills, Calif.
Week 2 (Feb. 10 -16): Aimee Creger – Tulsa – Senior – Pitcher– Yukon, Okla.
Week 3 (Feb. 17-23): Ally Carda – UCLA – Junior – Pitcher – Elk Grove, Calif.
Week 4 (Feb. 24 – March 2): Cheridan Hawkins – Oregon – Sophomore – Anderson, Calif.
Week 5 (March 3-9): Dallas Escobedo – Arizona State – Senior – Pitcher– Glendale, Ariz.
Week 6 (March 10-16): Alex Hugo – Georgia – Sophomore – Infielder – Olathe, Kan.
Week 7 (March 17-23): Jaclyn Traina – Alabama – Senior – Pitcher – Naples, Fla.
Week 8 (March 24 – 30): Ellen Renfroe – Tennessee – Senior – Pitcher – Jackson, Tenn.
Week 9 (March 31 – April 6): Katiyana Mauga – Arizona – Freshman – Outfielder – San Diego, Calif.
Week 10 (April 7 – 13): Michelle Mueller – Wisconsin – Senior – Third Base – LaCrosse, Wis.
Week 11 (April 14 – 20): Meredith Owen – Stetson – Senior – Pitcher – Jackson, Miss.
Week 12 (April 21 – 27): Tori Finucane – Missouri – Freshman – Pitcher – Germantown, Md.