EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball junior pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) has been named Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week. The OVC’s weekly accolades are voted upon by the league’s communications directors.
The pitcher of the week award is the first this season for Newman and the fourth of her career after earning the accolade three times in 2023. It is the first OVC weekly award this season for USI Softball. Newman also represented USI on the 2024 OVC Preseason Players to Watch List.
In earning the honor, Newman went 2-0 in Southern Indiana’s three-game series at Lindenwood University. The right-hander tossed two complete games, posting a 1.31 ERA. Newman struck out 21 batters in 16 innings of work. Plus, the junior walked only one batter toward a 0.63 WHIP.
Newman started the weekend on Saturday with a gusty performance in USI’s 3-2, extra-inning win. In a low-scoring affair with neither side wanting to give any ground, Newman pitched all nine innings and struck out 11. In another pitcher’s duel in Sunday’s 2-1 win in the series rubber match, Newman once again was in a rhythm. Newman struck out 10 toward her 10th victory of the season.
The weekend outings by Newman helped USI get back to .500 on the season at 12-12 overall and tied for second in the OVC at 6-3. The Screaming Eagles are 6-1 in their last seven games.
On the season, Newman is 10-5 with a sub-2.00 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched. Additionally, out of 16 starts, Newman has gone the distance 15 times with three shutouts. The junior pitcher has held opposing hitters to a .194 batting average.
Newman and the Screaming Eagles are back home at USI Softball Field Friday and Saturday for three games against Southeast Missouri State University in Ohio Valley Conference play. Friday is a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m., while Saturday’s series finale is at Noon. All three games can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM. Additional coverage links can be found on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
