IRVING, TEXAS – FIU sophomore pitcher Shannon Saile (Land O'Lakes, Fla.) was named the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week for the second straight week announced by the league Monday.
 
Saile struck out 33 and allowed just one earned run in 19 frames of work en route to a 0.37 ERA and a 2-1 record last week. The sophomore lifted FIU to a 4-1 week, including a doubleheader sweep of in-state rival Florida Gulf Coast and a series win over C-USA East Division leader Florida Atlantic. In her first of three appearances, Saile tossed a complete-game shutout on 12 punch outs and one hit. On Saturday in the nightcap against Florida Atlantic, she became the fifth NCAA pitcher this season to compile 18 or more strikeouts in a single game. It was her fourth outing recording at least 15 strikeouts, which is a peak among the nation's pitchers. The Florida product produced another pair of hitless innings and struck out three in two innings to earn her second weekly award in a row and third of the season. 
 
On the season, the sophomore is now 13-8 with a 1.71 ERA. She has 206 strikeouts, which ranks in the top five nationally. Saile leads Conference USA in ERA (1.71), strikeouts (206), opposing batting average (.155) and ties for the lead in wins (13). She is second in the league in innings pitched (139.0).
 
FIU will travel to DeLand Wednesday to play Stetson at 6 p.m. The Panthers will return to C-USA play this weekend when they host Middle Tennessee Saturday and Sunday. The doubleheader on Saturday will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday's series finale is set for 1 p.m.
  
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