DALLAS – Florida Atlantic University softball’s Gabby Sacco has been honored as Conference USA Pitcher of the Year, as announced by C-USA on Tuesday. Sacco was also named All-C-USA First Team, while her battery mate Olivia Peterson was selected as All-C-USA Second Team.
SENSATIONAL SACCO
Sacco undoubtedly earns C-USA Pitcher of the Year honors after a dominating sophomore season. She has pitched to an 18-6 record and a 1.56 earned run average. She leads C-USA in ERA while ranking 32nd in the nation and also is second in the conference in wins, in addition to ranking No. 31 in the nation in that category.
An innings eater, Sacco has thrown 14 complete games and 152.1 innings, while tallying five individual shutouts and one combined shutout. The sophomore right-hander limited batters to a .205 average against her, which was good for fifth in the conference. Remarkably, Sacco has allowed two runs or less in 19 starts. Sacco is the Owls’ first major award winner since the 2016 season.
“What a huge accomplishment for Gabby,” FAU head coach Jordan Clark said. “I couldn’t be prouder and more excited for her and the program. We always knew Gabby had something special in her from the first conversation we had with her this summer about her goals and dreams. The award shows what going to work in the weight room and shifting a mentality can do for someone’s game. Coach Nicole Newman and Gabby have built an amazing relationship in the bullpen, and it’s rewarding to celebrate this huge accomplishment. We are so proud and honored to have the Conference USA Pitcher of the Year on our team!”
PETERSON THE ANCHOR
Peterson has been the anchor of Florida Atlantic, starting in each one of the Owls’ 51 games with 49 of those coming at catcher. Behind the plate, Peterson has made only three errors in 96 chances for a fielding percentage of .987 while throwing out 13 attempted base stealers out of 33 attempts. She ranks second in the conference and 25th in the nation in runners caught stealing. A true backstop, Peterson has remarkably caught caught 341 of Florida Atlantic’s 359 innings.
At the plate, Peterson has been a big power threat for Florida Atlantic, leading the squad in home runs (7) and RBI (32). She also is the team leader in doubles (11) slugging percentage (.493) and walks (20).
“This is the first all-conference award for Olivia, and it couldn’t be more deserved,” Clark said. “She has been the backbone to our team this year not only on offense, but on defense as well. Olivia has always been competitive and wanted to be the best at what she does, but to see a shift in her offensive game to lead the team in home runs and RBI has been special. She has caught nearly every inning of every game this year with a smile on her face. This is well-deserved, and I am so glad we get to celebrate Olivia for everything she has done for our team this season.”
C-USA TOURNEY TOMORROW
The Owls are the No. 4 seed in the upcoming Conference USA Tournament, and will play tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. eastern time. FAU awaits the winner of the No. 5 seed WKU and the No. 8 seed FIU.
