TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona junior left handed pitcher
Taylor McQuillin has been named ESPNW Player of the Week for the first time in her career and Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week for the second time in her career after a dominating 4-0 weekend at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic last weekend in Palm Springs, California.
In the span of three days, McQuillin pitched in all five games UA competed in at the Mary Nutter, NCAA's premiere pre-conference tournament, going 4-0 with a save over 24 innings. All three of her starts resulted in one-hit shutouts, including a seven-strikeout masterpiece vs. No. 4 Oklahoma in the finale, OU's first shutout loss in over a year.
McQuillin allowed one total run (0.29 ERA) and five total hits (.064 opponent average) and struck out 27 batters in 24 innings. The junior led all pitchers in the tournament in wins (4), shutouts (3), opponent batting average (.064) and innings pitched (24).
The five games in Palm Springs continued on an amazing stretch for McQuillin. In her last six starts, she has five shutouts, including a no-hitter and then four consecutive one-hitters. Over her last 44.1 innings pitched, the junior is 7-0 with an 0.32 ERA, 64 strikeouts and an .058 opponent batting average.
On the season, McQuillin is 9-1 with a 1.06 ERA. She is tied for the Pac-12 lead with nine victories and is second in the league with 76 strikeouts.
McQuillin is UA's first ESPNW Player of the Week this season.
Danielle O'Toole and
Katiyana Mauga each earned the distinction once last year.
The award is McQuillin's third career weekly conference nod. She was Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week once and Pac-12 Freshman of the Week twice in 2016. McQuillin is the first Wildcat in 2018 to earn a weekly conference award.
Up Next: McQuillin and the ninth-ranked Wildcats will take on Texas this weekend, March 2-4 in Austin. The three-game series will be televised by the Longhorn Network.
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