by CHICKASHA – Seven wins and 63 strikeouts later,Summer Leitka (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma) was chosen as the Sooner Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday, making it her fifth week this season — and second in a row — to earn the honor.
On the week, Leitka pitched in seven of the Drovers’ eight games, earned a perfect 7-0 record and set a new school record for career strikeouts.
Through 44 and one-third inning in the circle, Leitka gave up just four runs, all of which came in the final two games of the exhausting week.
In a home doubleheader against Southwestern Christian, she threw 13 strikeouts in a two-hit complete game and walked one batter. She pitched a perfect four and one-third innings to complete the second game and struck out nine batters.
In a doubleheader against Mid-America Christian two days later, she threw all 14 innings, collecting 14 strikeouts in two shutouts.
On Saturday at Southwestern Assemblies of God, Leitka entered the game in the second inning and shut out the first nine batters she faced. Through the six innings she pitched that day, she threw a season-high 14 strikeouts and tied a school record for most strikeouts thrown in a season at 255, a record she broke the following day.
In 13 innings in Sunday’s doubleheader at Texas Wesleyan, she struck out 13 batters and now holds the school record for most strikeouts in a season with 268.
On the season, she has a 1.12 earned run average and a 26-3 record. She’s thrown 21 complete games and 12 shutouts.
She is first in the NAIA in total innings pitched at 200 this season, second in most win and third in total batters struck out. She leads the conference in all three categories. Further, she’s fourth nationally and second in the SAC in earned run average.
Leitka is the only pitcher in the conference to earn the honor five times this season. This is the second time she has nabbed back-to-back Pitcher of the Week awards.
Leitka is an American Indian studies sophomore from Norman. She is the daughter of Sonny and Kathy Leitka.
Congratulations on your amazing pitching feat! From one Seneca in the East I am so proud of you. I post many of the Haudenosaunee players who make the news. You are always in the news so many of our softball players see your achievements. Way to go!