Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina second-year pitcher Amanda Fulton was named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday following her 9.1 innings of work without allowing an earned run against Presbyterian and Queens.
The weekly award is her first of her career and the first WCU pitcher to receive the honor since March 24, 2025, when Tessa Juett received the same recognition from the league office. It's the first time that the Catamounts have earned back-to-back weekly honors from the conference since last March, when current junior Maya McPherson and Lily Bell earned consecutive Player of the Week honors.
A native of Woodstock, Ga., Fulton put together a strong week in the circle. She finished with 9.1 innings without allowing an earned run and totaled nine strikeouts. Fulton earned her seventh win of the season and first save of the year in contests against Queens and Presbyterian.
She was stellar throughout Tuesday's action against PC. She allowed only an unearned run in the opening frame, then locked down the Blue Hose, posting her team-best and SoCon lead tying seventh complete game of the season. After allowing three hits in the first inning, Fulton scattered four more over the next six frames. Seven of her eight strikeouts came during this stretch, matching her season-high.
Fulton entered in relief on Wednesday at Queens and was just as dominant as the day prior. After entering the game in the fourth inning with the tying run on base, she induced a 3-2 groundout to maintain the two-run lead. Over the final two innings, her offense helped blow the lead open with six runs over the final two innings to help turn a two-run game into a run-rule win. In the circle, Fulton was able to strand a pair of runners in each frame to keep it an 11-3 win and secure her first save of the season and second of her career.
In March, Fulton has been strong with a 3-0 record and a save, pitching to the tune of a 1.74 ERA. She's allowed just seven earned runs in 27.1 innings as Fulton has totaled 26 strikeouts compared to just four walks.
On the season, Fulton sits in a tie for first in the league in complete games (7). She ranks third in ERA (2.26) and second in innings pitched (71.1). Fulton is first in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.17), third in strikeouts per seven innings (7.5), and third in strikeouts (76).
Catamount third baseman Maya McPherson (.463 average) was also nominated for the league's weekly offensive award. She added to her strong start with four hits over the four-game week. McPherson totaled a double and a pair of homers with seven RBIs and a .917 slugging percentage. Senior infielder Avery Barton collected the weekly award after a strong 7-for-9 (.778) with three homers, five runs scored, and six RBIs.
WCU opens a season-long nine-game homestand, beginning Wednesday, March 18, with a visit from nationally ranked Clemson to Betty Peele Field at the Catamount Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. on ESPN+ (paid subscription required), with live stats available on CatamountSports.com.
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