UF Softball: Hightower Tabbed SEC Pitcher of the Week

Courtesy of University Athletic Association

BY HERB BROOKS

Junior Elizabeth Hightower of the Florida softball team was named SEC Pitcher of the Week by the league office Tuesday afternoon. This is Hightower’s second career SEC Pitcher of the Week award.

Hightower (10-0) turned in 15.0 scoreless innings of work last week and earned two wins and a save over four appearances in the circle. The Monticello, Fla. native is now riding a career-long 19.1 scoreless inning streak into a midweek matchup with No. 22 UCF and conference series with No. 12 LSU this weekend.

The right-handed pitcher earned two complete-game shutout victories Friday and Sunday on the road at Mississippi State and picked up her third save in 2.0 innings of relief work Saturday against the Bulldogs.

Thanks to the efforts of Hightower and Natalie Lugo in the circle, the shut-out series sweep of Mississippi State was the first of an SEC opponent on the road for the Gators since Stacey Nelson and Stephanie Brombacher achieved the feat at LSU in 2009. Hightower pitched 14.0 of the 19.0 innings against the Bulldogs in the series.

Hightower also earned SEC Pitcher of the Week and D1Softball.com Pitcher of the Week earlier this season for her performances the week prior to March 8. This season she holds a 0.71 ERA and a .133 batting average against with four complete-game shutouts and 62 strikeouts over 69.1 innings pitched.