Spelhaug Named Big 12 Pitcher Of The Week

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State's Ellie Spelhaug was named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday following a sensational opening weekend at the Doc Halverson UNI Dome Tournament. The native of Bettendorf, Iowa went 3-0 on the weekend in dominant fashion, helping Iowa State to its first 5-0 start since the 2016 season.

Spelhaug picked up wins against South Dakota State, UNI and Drake in three appearances on the weekend. She put in a team-high 14.0 innings of work in the circle while allowing just three earned runs, for a 1.50 ERA. The sophomore had 12 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .204 cumulative batting average on the weekend.

The tournament finale vs. Drake was perhaps Spelhaug's finest performance. She rang up a career high six strikeouts vs. the Bulldogs, and surrendered just two hits in the last six innings in a complete game victory.

It is the first Big 12 weekly honor of Spelhaug's career. She is also the first Cyclone to earn Big 12 Pitcher of the Week from the conference since March 5, 2018 (Brianna Weilbacher).

Spelhaug and the Cyclones return to action this weekend at the the FAU "Strikeout Cancer" Tournament in Boca Raton, Fla. First up for Iowa State is a game vs. Ole Miss on Friday, starting at 10 a.m. CT.