TU's Watson Named To NFCA All-America Second Team

Pitcher Emily Watson became The University of Tulsa softball team's sixth National Fastpitch Coaches Associate All-American on Wednesday afternoon as she was named to the NFCA Second Team. 

Watson's record-breaking season saw the junior set new Tulsa season records in wins, shutouts, complete games, and innings pitched.

Watson (Edmond, Okla.) was named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year after a season where she posted a 30-6 record, setting the Tulsa mark for most wins in a season while leading the nation in shutouts with 14. The junior struck out 348 batters, ranking as the second most in a season by a Hurricane pitcher to go along with a 1.25 ERA and a .178 opposing batting average.

The right-hander picked up her first career no-hitter on April 28 in a five-inning win over East Carolina while striking out the second-most batters in a game in NCAA Division I this season as she fanned 21 batters in a 10-inning win over Houston. Watson tossed all but one inning during Tulsa's post-season as the Hurricane (41-17 Overall, 15-3 The American) shutout Memphis and Houston en route to their sixth conference tournament title before picking up wins over Arkansas and North Dakota State to open up the NCAA Norman Regional.

Watson is the second Tulsa player to be named NFCA Second Team All-America as Jill Barrett received the honor in 2014 while Aimee Creger was named to the third team in 2011, 2013, and 2014. Lauren Lindsay was the first Hurricane to receive the honor as she was named third team in 2010.