Courtesy of SHSU Athletics
Sam Houston redshirt sophomore Kendall Daniel was named CUSA pitcher of the week on March 24 after recording a win and a save in the Bearkats’ series against the Kennesaw Owls.
The Tarleton transfer was put in as a relief pitcher on March 22 in the top of the fifth with two runners on and escaped the jam with back-to-back strikeouts. She finished the game with four strikeouts, one hit and one run allowed, leading the Bearkats to an 8-3 victory. She got the save in the final game of the series after recording three strikeouts and a season-low of zero hits in a 3-1 win the following day.
Daniel is the first SHSU softball player to win a CUSA weekly honor this season.
“Receiving this award feels great,” Daniel said. “I couldn’t be more grateful to receive it in such a competitive conference.”
Conference USA brings tough competition, but with Daniel’s teammates behind her, she feels that this award is more of a team effort. The pitcher plays a crucial part in the team’s success, but the eight other girls in the diamond help improve their performance.
“We have a lot of great pitchers in our conference so it’s definitely not an easy award to get,” Daniel said. “I’m honored to have received it so early in conference play because every game I play, I want to play for the 21 other girls that have my back. So really, I see it as a team award because if I didn’t have a great defense backing me and taking away potential hits, I wouldn’t have been able to receive this award.”
It is a coach’s goal to see their players succeed, but it is even sweeter when they earn an award in a tough conference. Softball head coach Garret Valis loves to see his student-athletes’ hard work pay off.
“I think it is an amazing accomplishment,” Valis said. “When you look at our league and how competitive it is, these awards aren’t easy to come by and to have one our student-athletes get rewarded for their hard work is always a great feeling.”
Being a pitcher isn’t an easy task and adding the stress of hitting doesn’t make it any easier. Daniel’s strong mindset and passion allows her competitive side come out, according to her head coach.
“She is a competitive person,” Coach Valis said. “It’s not easy being a pitcher who also hits, she’s going from hitting groups during practice to bullpens. She has a good strong mindset, and she is determined. She comprehends things well and just understands the game. It’s nice to see the passion come out as well.”
In addition to pitching, Daniel also puts in work in the batter’s box. She has a .260 batting average with one run, four hits and an RBI alongside her 3.50 ERA so far this season.
“Being a two-way player is a big deal,” Coach Valis said. “She shows up, puts in the work on both sides of the ball, and is very coachable. There is never a question about her love for the game, she brings passion to the field, and it is reflected through her play. She was a great pickup for us in the portal, in the circle and in the box.”
Daniel hasn’t allowed this award to impact her focus, with her current emphasis on improving and helping her team succeed.
“It does not change how I will play the rest of season,” Daniel said. “I will continue to work and improve every day. I will continue to shine the lord’s light through the game of softball.”