COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Fifth-year graduate student Courtney Wyche added another accolade to her phenomenal pitching career this week as she was named the NCAA National Pitcher of the Week in an announcement by the NCAA on Tuesday. Wyche was also named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for this week  and the second time this season. 


On Friday, vs. Penn State Courtney Wyche struck out a career-high 19 batters in Maryland softball's 2-0 upset win over No. 22 Penn State in nine innings at Nittany Lion Softball Park. Wyche broke the NCAA individual game-high for strikeouts in 2024. She passed Stanford's NiJaree Canady, who struck out 18 batters against Georgia on March 3. It was also the most by a Big Ten player since Sydney Sickels struck out 21 batters for Illinois on Feb. 11, 2023. Wyche also pitched the 12th shutout and 43rd complete game of her career, while allowing just two hits. She was awarded the 50th win of her career and her ninth of the season. The win was Maryland's second ranked win of the season after previously taking down No. 22 Oregon on March 1.
 
On Sunday, Courtney Wyche made her third appearance in the series, pitching her second complete game, striking out 17 batters and allowing just one run and six hits. Wyche struck out a total of 38 batters and allowed 11 hits and three runs through 22.1 innings pitched in the series. Wyche struck out 17 batters in the game to increase her career total to 561, which is fourth all-time. She passed Amanda Bettker (1999-2002). Wyche is also sixth on the all-time innings pitched list with 554.3 in her career. Wyche pitched the 44th complete game of her career, which is fifth all-time.

Wyche currently leads the Big Ten in Batters Struck Out this season with 136 and leads the Big Ten in Opposing Batting Average as hitters are hitting just .159 when Wyche is in the circle. For the Terps, Wyche currently leads the team in wins with a 9-6 record and a 2.33 ERA which ranks sixth in the Big Ten.  Wyche currently is sixth in the NCAA with strikeouts this season with 136.

The Terps will be back in action on Friday for a weekend series, as they turn their attention to the Illinois Fighting Illini who will come into town for a three-game series. The game on Friday is set for 6 p.m, and will stream on BTN+ and live stats will be available.