LOUISVILLE, Ky. – UVa-Wise softball's Taylor Brandts has been named Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II National Pitcher of the Week, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon. It is the third national weekly pitching accolade the junior right-hander has received this season after being named Fastpitch News (FPN) Pitcher of the Week Tuesday for the second consecutive week. Taylor Brandts becomes the first Cavalier to earn the NFCA's prestigious national weekly award.
 
The King George, Virginia (King George H.S.), native was unhittable this past weekend inside the circle for UVa-Wise, tossing two no-hitters in consecutive starts. Taylor Brandts struck out 14 batters and gave up just two walks and two hit by pitches in 12 innings of work. In game one of Friday afternoon's home doubleheader versus Shepherd University, Taylor Brandts struck out eight and walked just two as she cruised to a 2-0 no-hitter. Saturday, the righty picked up her seventh-straight complete game shutout and came up just one hit by pitch short of a perfect game. Taylor Brandts led the Cavs to the 8-0, five-inning game one home victory over Fairmont State University by striking out six.
 
The junior has not given up a run this month – since March 29 – and has thrown 47 consecutive innings of scoreless ball. With her two no-hitters over the weekend, Taylor Brandts became just one of less than 10 players in all of NCAA Division II to toss multiple no-hitters this season. Taylor Brandts owns a 14-5 record and a 1.17 earned run average on the season, her 10 shutouts this year is tops in the Mountain East Conference and tied for the most in all of Division II.
 
On Monday, Taylor Brandts was named MEC Pitcher of the Week for the second straight week and third time this season.
 
UVa-Wise went 3-1 this past weekend at Cavalier Field and is in the midst of a 10-game homestand. The Cavs own a 23-15 overall record and a 14-8 MEC mark and will host both Urbana University and Notre Dame College for doubleheaders this weekend.
 
NFCA release
 
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