Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Dan Hasko
James Named OVC Freshman of the Year, Makowsky Lands Spot on Newcomer Team
5/7/2019 6:00:00 PM | Softball
Hannah James and Taylor Makowsky would represent Murray State softball at the Ohio Valley Conference awards banquet on Tuesday evening in Oxford, Alabama. James was named the 2019 OVC Freshman of the Year, while also earning a place on the All-OVC second team, in addition to joining Makowsky as a member of the All-Newcomer team.
James would be acknowledged for her phenomenal freshman campaign as she became the second player in program history to be named the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. She is the first pitcher to garner the award for Murray State and, in addition to this honor, the Nicholasville, Kentucky native became the 23rd player in program history to be an All-OVC selection. Casey Castile in 2012 has been the only other Racer to receive Freshman of the Year honors.
"What an exciting group of achievements for Hannah during her first year as a Racer," said MSU head coach Kara Amundson. "She has proven herself as a dominant pitcher, not only in the conference, but on a national level. I'm happy for Hannah and her achievements so far this year, and excited for what she is capable of the rest of her career."
James, who has won a team-high 12 games in the circle for the Racers this season, has posted a 2.58 ERA through 157.2 innings of work in 2019. She has dealt 13 complete games, while recording 120 strikeouts to just 29 walks on the season. OVC opponents managed just a .215 average against her at the plate, while she turned in an impressive 5.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio in conference competitions.
Completing the Racers' dynamic pitching duo this season, Taylor Makowsky would also be named to the All-Newcomer team in her first season in a Murray State uniform.
Makowsky has earned a 9-5 overall record on the year with a 2.74 ERA and 51 strikeouts through her 74 innings in 2019. The Tomball, Texas native has frustrated OVC opponents all year long as she has posted a 7-2 record with a 2.19 ERA against conference competition on the year - holding those batters to a .225 average at the dish.
"As a student-athlete who came to us in January and was limited for the first few weeks of season, Taylor Makowsky has found herself as a respected pitcher in this conference. I'm proud of Taylor for the work she has put in to help this team have a great season. The sky is the limit for both Hannah and Taylor," concluded Amundson.
The Racers will be back in action on Wednesday at the 2019 OVC Tournament, as they are set to take on the winner of Eastern Kentucky and SIUE at 5:30 p.m. at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama.
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James would be acknowledged for her phenomenal freshman campaign as she became the second player in program history to be named the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. She is the first pitcher to garner the award for Murray State and, in addition to this honor, the Nicholasville, Kentucky native became the 23rd player in program history to be an All-OVC selection. Casey Castile in 2012 has been the only other Racer to receive Freshman of the Year honors.
"What an exciting group of achievements for Hannah during her first year as a Racer," said MSU head coach Kara Amundson. "She has proven herself as a dominant pitcher, not only in the conference, but on a national level. I'm happy for Hannah and her achievements so far this year, and excited for what she is capable of the rest of her career."
James, who has won a team-high 12 games in the circle for the Racers this season, has posted a 2.58 ERA through 157.2 innings of work in 2019. She has dealt 13 complete games, while recording 120 strikeouts to just 29 walks on the season. OVC opponents managed just a .215 average against her at the plate, while she turned in an impressive 5.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio in conference competitions.
Completing the Racers' dynamic pitching duo this season, Taylor Makowsky would also be named to the All-Newcomer team in her first season in a Murray State uniform.
Makowsky has earned a 9-5 overall record on the year with a 2.74 ERA and 51 strikeouts through her 74 innings in 2019. The Tomball, Texas native has frustrated OVC opponents all year long as she has posted a 7-2 record with a 2.19 ERA against conference competition on the year - holding those batters to a .225 average at the dish.
"As a student-athlete who came to us in January and was limited for the first few weeks of season, Taylor Makowsky has found herself as a respected pitcher in this conference. I'm proud of Taylor for the work she has put in to help this team have a great season. The sky is the limit for both Hannah and Taylor," concluded Amundson.
The Racers will be back in action on Wednesday at the 2019 OVC Tournament, as they are set to take on the winner of Eastern Kentucky and SIUE at 5:30 p.m. at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama.
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