Sophomore Ashley Lenser named OAC Softball Pitcher of the Week for second time this season

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 April 17-23.

This marks the second such honor of 2023 for Lenser and fourth of her career.

The latest recognition comes after Lenser pitched her third straight shutout in an 8-0 win over Otterbein last Wednesday. She allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out five to improve to 10-5 on the season.

The game marked the first time in 36 years that an ONU pitcher had thrown three straight shutouts, as Michelle Stillings pitched a school-record four consecutive shutouts in 1987.

In shutouts of Wilmington, John Carroll and Otterbein, Lenser allowed just 10 combined hits and three walks while recording 14 strikeouts.

Against Otterbein, she added a save in Game 2 of the doubleheader and also made an impact with her bat, hitting a three-run homer in Game 1.

Lenser currently ranks fifth in the OAC with a 2.03 ERA and has 52 strikeouts.

The reigning Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the OAC, Lenser is 22-9 with a 1.74 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 35 career appearances, including 30 starts, at ONU.

The Polar Bears (19-11 overall, 9-3 OAC) return to action on Wednesday hosting a doubleheader against OAC foe Capital beginning at 3 p.m.