Kessler Latest Jayhawk to Earn Big 12 Honors

IRVING, Texas – Kansas sophomore pitcher Kelsey Kessler extended the Jayhawks’ streak of consecutive weeks earning conference weekly accolades to four after the league announced Tuesday afternoon that Kessler had been named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week for the week ending on March 30.
 
The Blue Springs, Mo., native went 2-0 over the weekend and tossed 18 scoreless innings helping Kansas to a 3-0 start to conference play, which is the best start to for KU in Big 12 action since opening the 1997 season 9-0. While starting two games, Kessler also made a relief appearance where she recorded her second save of the season. In all, she had a hand in three KU wins that extended its conference win streak to seven games, which is the second-longest Big 12 win streak also since the 1997 season.
 
In each of her starts, Kessler struck out 13 batters and has recorded double-digit strikeout efforts in seven games this season. In her relief appearance, Kessler struck out five batters in two scoreless innings pitched.
 
On the week, Kessler struck out 31 batters and threw two complete games. She allowed one unearned run and 14 hits as opposing teams hit just .194 against her. She was 2-0 with a save and a 0.00 ERA in three appearances for the weekend.
 
The award marks the first weekly honor for Kessler in 2014 and third of her career. Kansas has had four players earn Big 12 honors this season, which is tied for the most in a single season and last accomplished by the Jayhawks in 2006.
 
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