Coker sweeps KCAC softball weekly awards, earns regional honors
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Ashley Coker throws a pitch during game one of the Lady Coyotes' doubleheader sweep of McPherson.

Following throwing two no-hitters, one nearly simultaneously with her younger sister Katie that has earned the pair national media recognition, and having an incredible week at the plate, Ashley Coker was named both KCAC Pitcher and Player of the Week for softball.

She was also named NAIA Region IV player of the week, and Region IV co-pitcher of the week.

Coker, a senior from Hays, was nearly unstoppable on the mound and at the plate.

Coker pitched in two games for Wesleyan last week, a 3-0 win over Southwestern and a 9-0 decision over McPherson.

In both games, Coker tossed no hitters.

Against Southwestern, Coker pitched seven innings of no-hit ball. She only allowed two base runners in the game – a lead off error and a hit batter – both in the first inning before settling in a groove. She struck out 13 batters and walked none in seven innings of work.

At the plate against the Moundbuilders, Coker had two hits, including a double, and scored a run as the Coyotes won 3-0 in game one. In game two, she had one hit, a solo homerun.

Against McPherson, Coker pitched five innings of no-hit softball in a run-rule shortened contest. Coker struck out eight of the first nine batters she faced and was perfect through the first three innings. She only allowed three McPherson base runners in the game – a hit batter, a walk and an error. Coker struck out 13 in the game, and walked only one.

Meanwhile, just across the Bill Burke softball fields, Ashley’s younger sister Katie was busy throwing a no-hitter of her own for Sacred Heart High School. The sister no-hitter act has earned the pair national media recognition from several prominent national media outlets after the duo was featured in Sunday’s Salina Journal.

At the plate vs. McPherson in game one, Coker was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. She had three hits and drove in four runs and scored two runs as the Coyotes won 9-0 in five innings. In game two, Coker continued her offensive tear, with two hits and one RBI in helping the Coyotes to a 4-1 win in the night cap.

The Lady Coyotes are back in action on Thursday when they travel to Hillsboro to take on Tabor. Wesleyan then plays at Saint Mary on Saturday and hosts Sterling in the season finale next Tuesday.

-- KWU SI --