Western Kentucky pitcher Kelsey Aikey was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week on Monday.
The award came one day after she pitched a 1-0 shutout Sunday against Florida International to clinch the Hilltoppers a spot in the C-USA Tournament.
Aikey opened and closed the game at the WKU Softball Complex with a swinging strikeout and racked up three more punchouts in between.
The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native allowed just two hits in her sixth complete game of the year – her third complete-game shutout.
With the help of her defense after allowing the pair of hits, Aikey retired 12 consecutive Panther batters to keep the Hilltoppers in the driver’s seat and out-duel reigning C-USA Freshman of the Year Shannon Saile in a must-win game.