Even with a delayed start due to the winter weather across Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, the Lone Star Conference softball season is underway. Angelo State is still unbeaten at 9-0 marking the fourth-best start in school history, while Midwestern State is off to its best start in program history at 11-1.
LSC softball teams are 55-36 overall, with a 33-21 record in the South and 22-15 in the North this season. The squads are currently 21-15 combined versus Heartland Conference squads and 3-3 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, which are the other two conferences in the NCAA South Central Region.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
NORTH HITTER
Courtney Bingham, Midwestern State University, SO, Arlington, Texas, Arlington HS
Bingham paced a stellar hitting attack for No. 23 Midwestern State to lead the Mustangs to their best start in school history at 11-1. The sophomore from Arlington hit .463 with a double, four triples and a homer to drive in a team-high 15 runs. Bingham also drew five walks to get on-base at a .522 clip. Bingham has collected a hit in 10 of MSU’s 12 games and drove in four runs against Southeastern Oklahoma on Feb. 11 and versus Southern Arkansas on Feb. 13.
NORTH PITCHER
Kristina Gutierrez, Midwestern State University, SR, Pearland, Texas, Dobie HS
Gutierrez’ hot start has giving No. 21 Midwestern State a pair of top line starters as she has helped the Mustangs to their best start in school history at 11-1. The senior from Pearland posted a perfect 5-0 mark with a 1.47 ERA including a pair of shutouts against Southeastern Oklahoma and Southern Arkansas. Gutierrez has allowed just seven runs and 25 hits in 33 1/3 innings and has been exceptional in the strike zone. She has posted 48 strikeouts and walked just two batters while limiting the opposition to a .207 batting average against.
SOUTH HITTER
Chelsey Walters, Angelo State University, SO, Shortstop, Odessa, Texas, Odessa HS
Walters, ASU’s leadoff hitter, sets the table for the nationally ranked Rambelle softball team. The Odessa native has a .528 on-base percentage to complement her .469 batting average. She leads the eighth-ranked ‘Belles in hits (15), runs scored (14) and batting average (.469), while going a perfect 4-for-4 on stolen bases. The shortstop is doing it with the leather as well, posting a team-best 26 assists.
SOUTH PITCHER
Briana Sanchez, University of the Incarnate Word, SO, San Antonio, Texas, Marshall HS
Sanchez has a posted a .54 ERA and 4-0 record in complete game efforts. Against Our Lady of the Lake, she threw a no-hitter in an 8-0 run-rule victory. The sophomore is averaging 9.75 strikeouts per game with 39 K’s in 26 innings. Opposing batters are hitting just .144, including a pair of comeback efforts in which Sanchez didn’t allow a run after the Cardinals took the lead.