VALLEY CITY, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com)  – VCSU senior Emily Smith has been named the National Pitcher of the Week, the NAIA national office announced Tuesday.

The Viking right-hander threw back-to-back no-hitters this weekend during a series at Viterbo University. The Vikings won both games by run rule after five innings. For the week, Smith pitched 10 no-hit innings and struck out 14 batters as the Vikings won 12-0 and 10-0 in her two starts. It was the second and third no-hitters of the season by Smith.

She also set the new career strikeout record at VCSU, finishing the weekend with 515 career strikeouts. That breaks the old record of 512 held by Krystal Hathaway.

Smith currently ranks third in the nation in opponent batting average (.123) and hits allowed per game (2.93). She also ranks fifth nationally with an average of 11.56 strikeouts per game.

This is the second time in her career that Smith has been named the NAIA National Pitcher of the Week. She also received the honor during her sophomore season in 2018.