Gum Named National Pitcher of the Week

Arkansas Tech University senior Jalissa Gum has earned national recognition for her pitching prowess on the softball diamond.

Gum was named Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division II pitcher of the week on Wednesday, May 3.

The right-hander from Red Rock, Okla., tossed five complete-game victories last week, including two over nationally-ranked Southern Arkansas University on Monday, April 24, and three more against Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29.

Gum limited SAU to two runs on 10 hits over 14 innings of work on April 24, striking out 14 Lady Muleriders along the way.

She allowed one run (unearned) on eight hits and struck out 44 SWOSU hitters in 21 innings against the Bulldogs.

Gum notched 20 strikeouts in the SWOSU series opener to become the fourth NCAA Division II softball pitcher in history to record that many strikeouts in a seven-inning game.

Gum established a new GAC record for strikeouts in a season during the SWOSU series. Her 336 strikeouts this season are most in NCAA Division II for the 2017 campaign.

Arkansas Tech (35-20) will face Southern Nazarene University (22-32) in the first round of the double elimination Great American Conference Tournament in Bentonville on Thursday, May 4.

First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Live coverage will be available at www.arkansastechsports.com.