Meredith College Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Former Panthers hurler and four-year Meredith College pitcher Amanda Beirne reached the top of the NCAA Division III softball statistical rankings with 137 strikeouts as of March 26. Beirne boasts an impressive five shutouts on the season and sits in a tie for fourth among her DIII peers nationally.

In 28 complete games pitched this season, Beirne leads the league with 17 wins and ranks eighth in the conference with a 2.21 earned run average. Through the weekend’s games, she averages 5.45 strikeouts per game for a total of 160 on the season and 501 in her career.

Beirne graduated from Meredith in August 2013 and returned to campus as a graduate student this spring to pursue a Masters in Education. The NCAA allows a student to return to her alma mater as a full-time graduate student to use her remaining athletic eligibility, so Beirne took advantage to complete her fourth season.

The Avenging Angels face two remaining USA South doubleheaders this season and continue to battle for a chance at one of eight spots available in the conference tournament.

The constant weather challenges this spring leave some league members with additional games to complete before the close of the regular season. Round one of the USA South tournament is slated for a 9 a.m. start on Friday, April 11, at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex.

Beirne graduated from Northside High School in 2009.