Marshall University Athletics
Dixon Named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week
4/3/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
IRVING, Texas - Senior pitcher Jordan Dixon was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week for the first time this season, the league office announced Monday afternoon.
Dixon was a dominant force from the circle with three shutouts including one no-hitter this past week and achieved her 1,000th career strikeout.
"Dixon is hitting her stride right when we need her to be strong," Herd coach Shonda Stanton said. "She had a phenomenal week starting with the no-hitter and ended it by notching her 1000th K. It was fun to watch her compete and chase history as only the second pitcher in C-USA to accomplish such an impressive feat.
"She really carried us in Hattiesburg pounding the zone and working hard keeping our opponent off the board to give our offense time to produce. Chanda (Bell) has done an outstanding job in developing Dixon, and we are excited to see continued success over the course of this next month with her leading us on the mound."
The Edmond, Okla., native started the week at home against Morehead State and pitched her second career no-hitter. Dixon struck out 10 across five innings and won her 18th game of the season and improved Marshall's program-record winning streak to 16 games.
Down in Hattiesburg, Miss., Dixon got the start in games one and three and shut out the Golden Eagles in both contests. In game one, she allowed just three hits, one walk and struck out eight as Marshall defeated Southern Miss, 5-0. The Herd's win streak was capped at 17 in a row as the Herd lost game two of the series.
For the series finale, Dixon needed just three strikeouts to become the first pitcher in Marshall softball history to reach 1,000 for a career. It came right in the first inning as she sat down all three Golden Eagle batters by the strikeout. Dixon retired the first five batters she faced with a strikeout and then induced pop outs, fly outs and easy grounders as the Herd defeated Southern Miss, 3-0. She allowed just two hits and one walk during her 16th complete game of the season.
Along with becoming the first pitcher in program history to reach 1,000 strikeouts, Dixon also won her 20th game of the season on Sunday, April 2, to become the first to win 20 games in a season all four years at Marshall. The senior ace has 96 career wins, 31 more than any other pitcher in program history. Dixon has won her last 13 starts and is 20-4 this season and 8-0 in Conference USA action.
The Thundering Herd returns to action on Wednesday, April 5, at Dot Hicks Field with a doubleheader against Wright State. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Fans can stay up to date with the Herd through www.herdzone.com, Marshall University Softball on Facebook and @HerdSB on Twitter.
