Arizona Western softball pitcher is named NJCAA DI pitcher of the week. The sophomore received the national honor after going 3-0 over 14 innings while allowing just one earned run in three victories last week for the Lady Matadors. The right-hander struck out 18 and surrendered only five hits, posting a 0.57 WHIP and 0.50 ERA in victories over North Idaho College. 

"Jessica has done well for us so far," Head Coach Joel Prickett said. "She had a great freshman campaign at Crowder College. We put her up for ACCAC player of the week and thought her numbers not only deserved to be recognized there but our conference also felt she had a shot at national player of the week. 

Through 10 games this season, the Lady Matadors are 8-2 and riding a six game winning streak into this weekend. Of the Lady Matadors 8 wins, Jessica Smith has accounted for five of them. Posting a 5-0 record with four complete games, 34 strikeouts in 28 innings with a 0.75 ERA. 

"It's a good honor for her and will help her with recruiting for sure as she eyes the next level," Prickett said. "She's a great teammate, gets in her extra work. She gets out to the field early, the other day it was an hour early, just setting up our pre-practice equipment and taking some batting practice. She's all in and leads the cheers when she's not in the lineup. She knows she's one of the best but works like she's not, she's a special person."

You can catch Jessica Smith and the Lady Matadors in action this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with home games at Charlie Dine Field. Game times can be found at www.awcmatadors.com