(MSU Billings release)
PORTLAND, Ore. – For the second consecutive week a Montana State University Billings pitcher has been tabbed the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week after Megan Dettling received the honor on Monday. Dettling’s 2-0 week was highlighted by a GNAC record-setting 18-strikeout, complete-game shutout against Chadron State College at the Dixie State Easton Classic.
“Megan threw an amazing game against Chadron,” head coach Jessica Rayman said of Detting’s 18-strikeout outing. “She started the week with a good start against Hilo and just continued to throw strikes and prove what she is capable of. Megan and Shayla (Felix) were working great together and they both deserve a lot of credit. To break the GNAC record was not only huge for Megan but for our team as well, our dugout was energetic all game and our defense made plays when we needed them.”
Dettling delivered perhaps the most dominant pitching outing in GNAC history in her second start of the week. After striking out three batters in the first inning, the Sparks, Nev. native would go on to record 18 punch-outs in the game. She struck out the side in the top of the third, retiring all three batters on swinging strikes. She allowed one hit in the first inning and one in the fifth. Dettling recorded her 15th and 16th strikeouts of the game in the sixth inning to pass Joey Ehnes’ previous MSUB-record of 15 batters fanned and added two more in the seventh to surpass the conference record of 17.
“She made adjustments when she needed to,” Rayman added. “She came out and caught them being aggressive and used her placement and movement to get them to chase. Later in the game they tried to be patient but she got the first-pitch strikes that she needed to get them on their heels. Megan is really smart in the circle and did a great job of executing all game.
Twelve of the 18 strikeouts came on swinging strikes with six batter caught looking at the third strike. Dettling’s previous career best single-game total was nine strikeouts against Calk State, San Bernardino last season.
Dettling earned her first win of the week with a six-inning outing against the University of Hawaii Hilo on Tuesday. The right-handed pitched struck out seven batters in the game while allowing three earned runs and five hits. She allowed just one walk for a total of seven baserunners.
She also pitched four inning of relief against No. 9 Dixie State where she had three strikeouts while giving up seven earned runs on nine hits.
The senior is 2-0 this season with a 4.45 ERA in six appearances. She has 42 strikeouts in 28.1 innings pitched while issuing 10 walks and allowing 27 hits. She leads the conference in strikeouts by 14 and has the fifth-best opponent batting average .248.
Dettling and the Yellowjackets will play a pair of doubleheaders this weekend when they visit Colorado to face Metropolitan State University Denver and Colorado School of Mines.
