May 5, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama freshman pitcher Kelsi Dunne was named the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week the league office announced on Monday after earning wins over No. 11 Northwestern and Georgia last week.

Dunne, a native of Port Orange, Fla., came on in relief against No. 11 Northwestern on April 29 in the first game of the DePaul Softball Invitational to earn her 20th win of the season. She did not allow an earned run and captured her fifth win of the season over a ranked opponent.

Dunne then started the second game of the DePaul Softball Invitational against No. 20 DePaul and held the Blue Demons scoreless through seven innings with seven strikeouts.

She started the series opener at Georgia on Saturday, May 3, and allowed just one hit over four innings in a 12-3 Tide win. Dunne surrendered just one run and struck out six.

It is Dunne's second SEC Pitcher of the Week award and her third weekly honor from the SEC after garnering SEC Freshman of the Week honors on Feb. 22. The award is the Tide's seventh SEC weekly honor this year.

Alabama opens the 2008 SEC Tournament against Mississippi State at LSU's Tiger Park on Thursday, May 8, at 5 p.m.