Chelsea Rae Thomas (born January 26, 1990)[1][2] is an American former collegiate softball pitcher, originally from Pleasantville, Iowa.[3][4][5] Thomas pitched for the Missouri Tigers in the Big 12 Conference and Southeastern Conference; Thomas is the career leader in wins and strikeouts for the school.[6] She ranks top-10 for no hitters (11) and perfect games (3) in the NCAA Division I.[7] Thomas and was drafted #20 in the National Pro Fastpitch and won a title in 2014.

Chelsea Thomas
Born: (1990-01-26) January 26, 1990 (age 34)
Des Moines, Iowa
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Women's softball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2011 Guadalajara Team

Early life and education

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Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Thomas attended Pleasantville High School.[1] She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biology in fall 2012[8] and a Master of Education in counseling in fall 2013.[2]

Career

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Thomas debuted on February 14, defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies in a shutout, allowing a hit and fanning three batters.[9] She would no hit the Southeast Missouri Redhawks on March 7.[10] During her sophomore year, Thomas set a career best with 14 strikeouts in regulation, winning against the Illinois State Redbirds on March 14 before having to redshirt the year because of injury.[11]

In 2011, Thomas was named Big-12 Pitcher of The Year and led the Nation in ERA. On March 2, she pitched a perfect game against the Drake Bulldogs with 11 strikeouts.[12] Thomas would go on to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners on April 16 and totaled 17 strikeouts and combined with Keilani Ricketts for 33 total for a top NCAA single game record.[13] She led the Tigers into the 2011 Women's College World Series and help set the combined strikeout record (30) at the World Series by throwing a career best 19 strikeouts in a 13-inning loss to the Baylor Bears on June 4.[14] Thomas earned a second Pitcher of The Year citation and tossed 46.0 consecutive scoreless innings for a career highlight in 2012.

In her final year, Thomas crossed 1,000 strikeouts for her career vs. the Mississippi Rebels on March 15 with four in two innings.[15] She claimed her 100th career victory run-rule defeating the Missouri State Bears on April 3. Thomas made her final appearance losing to the Washington Huskies on May 24, fanning four in a 1–0 two-hitter.[16] Thomas was named 2013 SEC Pitcher of the Year.[17]

As a member of the United States women's national softball team she won 2011 World Cup of Softball.[18] In 2013, she played professional softball for the USSSA Pride in the National Pro Fastpitch league. She is currently an assistant coach of the McKendree University softball team.[19]

Statistics

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YEAR W L GP GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER BB SO ERA WHIP
2009 16 7 27 24 16 10 0 148.2 100 47 35 46 116 1.65 0.98
2010 12 1 14 12 8 3 0 77.1 42 21 19 24 123 1.72 0.85
2011 32 8 44 40 31 13 3 271.1 146 45 37 53 397 0.95 0.73
2012 27 9 39 35 23 12 3 229.1 128 46 38 80 306 1.16 0.91
2013 24 6 35 35 19 8 0 198.1 110 45 33 55 232 1.16 0.83
TOTALS 111 31 159 146 97 46 6 925.0 526 204 162 258 1174 1.22 0.84

References

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  1. ^ a b "Player Bio: Chelsea Thomas". mutigers.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Iowa | MU News Bureau". Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  3. ^ "2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams". Nfca.org. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  4. ^ "2012 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams". Nfca.org. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  5. ^ "2013 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams". Nfca.org. May 29, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  6. ^ "2020 Mizzou Softball Media Guide" (PDF). Mutigers.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  7. ^ "Division I Softball Records" (PDF). Ncaa.org. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "Boone | MU News Bureau". munews.missouri.edu. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013.
  9. ^ "Virginia Tech vs Missouri (Feb 14, 2009)". Mutigers.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  10. ^ "Redhawks Conclude Tourney With Split". Gosoutheast.com. March 7, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  11. ^ "Illinois State vs Missouri (Mar 14, 2010)". Mutigers.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  12. ^ "BULLDOGS DROP DOUBLEHEADER AT NO. 17 MISSOURI". Godrakebulldogs.com. March 2, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  13. ^ "#15 Oklahoma at #14 Missouri". Soonersports.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  14. ^ "Deja Boom: Holl's Blast Gives Softball 1-0 Win". Baylorbears.com. June 4, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  15. ^ "MISSOURI vs Ole Miss (Mar 15, 2013)". Mutigers.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  16. ^ "MISSOURI vs Washington (May 24, 2013)". Mutigers.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  17. ^ "Missouri's Chelsea Thomas wins SEC softball pitcher of the year honor". May 7, 2013.
  18. ^ "U.S. wins World Cup of Softball". ESPN. July 26, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  19. ^ "Chelsea Thomas - 2021 Softball Coaching Staff - McKendree University". Mckbearcats.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
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