[Softball] Spracklen earns fifth career KCAC Softball Pitcher of the Week nod

WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University senior Laila Spracklen has been named the KCAC Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced today (Apr. 24). This is the first weekly award for Spracklen this season but the fifth overall during her star-studded career.

Spracklen went 2-0 for the week, highlighted by besting KWU's Miranda Fogul in a solid pitching duel Saturday (Apr. 22) in Salina, Kan. Spracklen pitched all 10 innings in the Falcons' 5-3 opening game victory at KWU, striking out a career-high tying 14 batters and twice stranding a runner at third in extra innings to keep the game tied at 3-3.

She also fanned 10 at McPherson College last Wednesday (Apr. 19) to become the Falcons' modern-era career strikeout leader. The San Diego, Calif. native now has 459 career strikeouts.

Spracklen is currently tied for first in the KCAC with 16 wins and is second in the league in both ERA (2.08) and strikeouts (189) this season.

"Laila continues to have tremendous grit on the pitcher's mound for our team!" said Friends softball head coach Suzanne Unruh.  "Her experience comes through in the tough battles and she is determined to win!

The Falcons received votes in the latest NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 poll and are 30-10 overall on the season, their most regular season wins since the 2017 season.  With one series remaining before the KCAC postseason tourney, the Falcons, the defending KCAC tourney champions, are 18-4 in the league and just one game behind No. 16-ranked and conference front-runner Ottawa University.

To wrap up the regular season, the Falcons are scheduled to host Avila University tomorrow (Apr. 25) at 3 pm at Two Rivers Youth Complex. But with rain in the forecast much of the week, the games could potentially be moved to Thursday (Apr. 27). Stay tuned to www.friendsathletics.com for all scheduling updates.