By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
LEBANON, Tenn. – Just early on in her career and freshman Alyssa Arden is racking up some accolades.
After being named the Ohio Valley Conference's Pitcher of the Week on Monday, the Tennessee Sports Writers Association awarded her the same honor on Wednesday.
The freshman pitcher from Goodlettsville, Tenn., went 2-0 this past weekend at the Alabama State Invitational, throwing a no-hitter against the host Hornets on Saturday.
With her performances, Arden was nearly a unanimous selection as the Ohio Valley Conference's Pitcher of the Week, voted on by the league's sports information contacts.
Arden, a product out of White House Heritage High School, worked all 14 innings in her two appearances, picking up her first career shutout in the 7-0 victory over Western Illinois on Friday, then allowed a single unearned run against Alabama State as a walk, stolen base, throwing error and sacrifice fly led to the Hornets' score and the only tally against her all weekend.
Arden allowed four hits, walked four and struck out 14 through both games and opponents hit .091 against her.
The no-hitter was Arden's first and the program's 17th overall, the first for the Golden Eagles since Holly Thomas threw one on Feb. 25, 2011, against IUPUI, and the first by a Tech freshman since Thomas no-hit Tennessee Wesleyan on March 19, 2009. Arden is the sixth Golden Eagle freshman to throw a no-hitter in program history, joining Heather Peterson, Katie Maroon, Brandy Henry, current head coach Bonnie Graham and Holly Thomas.
For the season, Arden has a 3-2 record with a 2.65 ERA. In six appearances and 34 1/3 innings of work, she has three complete games, one shutout, 19 walks and 26 strikeouts, while opponents are hitting .234 against her.
Arden also picked up a win on Tuesday during the Golden Eagles' sweep over North Alabama.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Friday at the Buccaneer Classic, hosted by East Tennessee State.
Photo by Jim Dillon
