CULVER CITY, Calif.– Texas A&M University-Commerce softball player Emily Otto has been named Fastpitch News National Pitcher of the Week. The award was announced by FPN on Tuesday. It is the first National Player of the Week for Otto in her career. She is the third player in program history to earn National Player of the Week honors, and the first pitcher ever to win the award.
 
Otto­– a sophomore from Richmond (Lamar Consolidated)– was sensational once again for the Lions, pitching three complete games last week, including a no-hitter and two shutout outings against MSU Texas. Otto gave up just one earned run and struck out 18 batters, giving up just five hits for the week in 19.0 innings.
 
Otto pitched a complete seven innings against No. 20 Arkansas Tech on Wednesday, holding ATU to just two hits while recording six strikeouts and no walks. Otto followed that with a seven-inning shutout against MSU on Friday, striking out five. Otto saved the best for last, pitching a seven-strikeout five-inning no-hitter on Saturday to help the Lions complete the sweep of MSU. Otto for the week held hitters to a meager .079 average as she had an ERA of 0.37 over 19.0 innings and had a six-to-one strikeout to walk ratio. She currently leads the LSC in lowest ERA, lowest opponent batting average, most wins, most complete games, most shutouts and fewest runs allowed.
 
Otto and the No. 9 Lions return to action today as they host Texas A&M-International in a doubleheader. The first game is set for 2 p.m. at the John Cain Family Softball Field. Tickets are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House or by purchase at the gate of the John Cain Family Softball Field.

2019 FASTPITCH NEWS DIVISION II  NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Hitter of the Week
 Feb. 19: Lakyn Wagoner, Illinois Springfield

Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 19: Emily Otto, Texas A&M-Commerce