Sophomore Ashley Lenser named OAC Softball Pitcher of the Week

By Wes Mayberry

ADA — Ohio Northern sophomore Ashley Lenser (Brookville) was named the Ohio Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 13-19.

This is Lenser's third career OAC Player of the Week accolade, as she earned the honor twice as a freshman last season.

The latest recognition comes after Lenser posted a 4-1 record and 15-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in five starts as the Polar Bears opened their 2023 season with a 6-4 record on their spring break trip in Florida. She also contributed offensively, adding five hits, including a double, and three RBIs.

Lenser's highlight outing of the week came in a 7-0 win over Salve Regina (R.I.) in which she threw a complete-game one-hit shutout with no walks and five strikeouts.

In a 5-1 win over Westminster (Pa.), Lenser allowed one earned run on seven hits and no walks.

In a 6-2 victory over Lakeland (Wis.), she gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk to go with four strikeouts.

Lenser pitched all eight innings of a 4-3 win over Lake Forest (Ill.) and allowed two earned runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out six.

In her only loss of the week, she pitched all six innings and gave up three unearned runs on six hits and no walks in a 3-1 defeat to No. 20 Babson (Mass.).

Thus far this season, Lenser boasts a 1.01 ERA through 34.2 innings pitched.

The reigning Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the OAC, Lenser is 16-5 with a 1.35 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 23 career appearances, including 20 starts, at ONU.

The Polar Bears return to action on Friday hosting a doubleheader against Calvin (Mich.).