MU softball pitcher Chelsea Thomas receives two more honors

Missouri pitcher Chelsea Thomas was named to Women’s College World Series All-Tournament Team and nominated for the United State Sports Academy’s May Athlete of the Month.

Thomas' inclusion on the All-Tournament team makes her the second Missouri player to receive the honor. Senior Rhea Taylor was named to the All-Tournament team in 2010.

At the World Series, Thomas had a record of 1-2. After her worst outing of the season against Florida, Thomas rebounded in Missouri’s next two games. She allowed one run on six hits in an elimination game against Oklahoma. Then, in Missouri's loss to Baylor, Thomas struck out 19 batters in 12.2 innings pitched, allowing one run on eight hits. In total, she struck out 33 batters in 25.2 innings pitched at the World Series.

Voting for the May Athlete of the Month award is now underway and runs through June 14. Thomas is nominated for the award along with track and field athletes Betty Heidler and English Gardner, golfers Austin Ernst and Suzanna Pettersen and table tennis player Ding Ning. Voting is taking place at the USSA website.

During the month of May, Thomas went 8-2 in 10 starts with an ERA of 1.07. She struck out 81 batters in 71.2 innings pitched and went 4-1 in the NCAA Regional and Super Regional rounds.

Thomas was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and was a finalist for USA Softball’s National Player of the Year award. She is also currently a finalist for the Honda Collegiate Women's Sports Award for softball.