LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Slippery Rock University softball freshman Rachel Baker was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season, the conference office announced Monday.

Baker is the sixth Rock athlete to earn Pitcher of the Week twice in the same season and the first since Kelsi Anderson in 2022. 

Monday's honor marks the fifth PSAC weekly award for Slippery Rock this season, the second-most weekly awards for The Rock in a single season. Slippery Rock was awarded seven weekly awards during the 2018 campaign. 

Baker finished the week with a 2-1 record after earning a 2.10 ERA in 20 innings and striking out 16 batters.

In her two victories, Baker pitched seven innings in both matchups. In a 5-0 win over Edinboro, Baker pitched a complete game shutout, giving up just two hits and two walks with four strikeouts. During a 3-2 triumph over California (Pa.), Baker surrendered two runs on four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.

On the season, Baker has a 7-3 record with a 2.52 ERA in 64 innings pitched. Baker has surrendered just 28 runs (23 earned) on 53 hits and 32 walks with 63 strikeouts. Batters are hitting just .220 against the freshman this season.

Baker ranks among the leaders in multiple pitching categories in the PSAC. The freshman ranks fifth in ERA (2.52), fifth in strikeouts (63), sixth in wins (7) and seventh in opposing batting average (.220).

Slippery Rock is scheduled to host a pair of PSAC West doubleheaders this week. The Rock will welcome Pitt-Johnstown for a twinbill 2 p.m. Friday before Indiana University (Pa.) comes to town for a doubleheader 1 p.m. Saturday. All games will be played at Kasnevich Field.



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