Alexa McHugh has struck out 26 batters and walked just one in her first 18 innings of the season over four pitching appearances for the Misericordia University softball team.
The junior pitcher/shortstop from Pittston Area earned Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Pitcher of the Week honors following Misericordia’s opener when she struck out six and allowed just one hit in three shutout innings during a win over Shenandoah.
A returning first-team Freedom all-star, McHugh has played in every game of Misericordia’s 6-3 start during trips to Virginia and Florida. She has scored 11 runs and driven in four while batting .333 with a double, triple and home run. The homer came in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader, lifting the Cougars to a split with Westfield State.
McHugh has allowed just one earned run this season on eight hits. She is 3-1 with an 0.39 earned run average. She struck out six in four innings to get the win Wednesday in a 7-1 victory over Cornell, Iowa.
As a freshman, McHugh had an 0.64 ERA in six pitching appearances, including three starts, before the season was cut short by COVID.
Last season, McHugh batted .328 and posted a 1.64 ERA. She pitched in 19 games, making 17 starts and ranking second in the MAC Freedom with 12 complete games.
Kaitlyn Slusser, a shortstop from Wyoming Area, is a first-year teammate of McHugh’s.
Slusser has appeared in her first three college games, going 0-for-3 and drawing a walk. She has handled five fielding chances without committing an error.
