Blanchard Earns Conference Honor

JACKSON – The Co-Lin Softball team saw one of their members earn MACCC Pitcher of the Week honors as announced by the conference on Tuesday, March 22. Sophomore Cera Blanchard from Metairie, Louisiana earned the honor for her performances for the Lady Wolves that saw the team complete three sweeps to open conference play during the week of March 14-19.

"I am so proud of Cera," stated Co-Lin head coach Meleah Howard. "She is such a hard worker, great team leader, and so deserving of this honor. Her teammates love playing behind her because they know that every time she steps in the circle she is ready to do whatever she has to do to win the game."

Cera began her week throwing four shutout and no-hit innings in an 11-0 win over Coahoma in game one of the doubleheader. Blanchard had nine strikeouts and allowed just one baserunner in four innings via one walk. The Southeastern Louisiana University commit also drew one walk at the plate during the game on Monday, March 14.

Blanchard followed that performance with a complete game shutout, 4-0, against Hinds in game one of the doubleheader on Wednesday, March 16. Blanchard allowed just one hit and one walk with nine strikeouts over her seven innings of work in the circle. At the plate, she went 3-for-6 with one double, two RBIs, and one run scored in both games.

Blanchard's final start of the week came in game one of the Lady Wolves doubleheader against East Mississippi on Saturday, March 16. Blanchard once again threw a complete game as the Lady Wolves won 8-0 and in five innings in the circle, she allowed one hit and two walks with eight strikeouts while also going 2-for-3 at the plate.

For the week, Blanchard went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 26 strikeouts, four walks, and two hits across 16 innings pitched. Cera posted a strikeouts per seven innings pitched rate of 11.38 while also posting a perfect fielding percentage during her three wins. On the season, Blanchard has posted a 10-1 overall record with the 10 wins tied for the MACCC lead with teammate Belle West as the two are also tied for the third-most wins in NJCAA Division II Softball. Blanchard also leads the MACCC in ERA at 0.67 and is second in strikeouts with 73 across 62.2 innings pitched. Blanchard's ERA is sixth best and strikeout total is 11th-most in the NJCAA Division II statistical rankings.

"Her confidence and demeanor have set her apart from day one," added Howard. "Coaching her is such a privilege, and I am so excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for her and her teammates!"

Blanchard's performance during the week also earned her the NJCAA Division II National Pitcher of the Week award.

Blanchard and the rest of the Lady Wolves return to action hosting Southwest in a conference play doubleheader on Wednesday, March 23. First pitch between the Lady Bears and the Lady Wolves is set for 4 p.m., in Wesson.