Duke senior Jala Wright named ACC Pitcher of the Year

Duke senior Jala Wright was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year on Wednesday after she finished with a 16-1 record and an ERA of 1.15.

The ACC revealed its awards for the 2024 softball season on Wednesday, and Duke senior Jala Wright earned Pitcher of the Year honors by a unanimous vote.

“What an honor to have this incredible blessing attached to MY NAME!” Wright wrote about the award on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “I can’t thank GOD enough for my journey…here comes the tears.”

Wright finished the year with a 16-1 record in the circle and an ERA of 1.15. She struck out 147 batters in 121.2 innings, and she only allowed 114 combined walks and hits for a WHIP of 0.94.

The Blue Devils senior went the distance for a complete game six different times, and she didn’t earn a run in 14 of her 26 appearances.

For some fun quick math, Wright’s 121.2 innings pitched meant she was in the circle for more than a third of Duke’s season.

Wright and teammate Cassidy Curd (1.38 ERA, 9-3 record) were also both named First Team All-ACC pitchers, the second such nomination for them both.

The Blue Devils, the regular-season conference champions, took home four of the conference’s five major awards on Wednesday. Senior Claire Davidson was named the ACC Player of the Year, sophomore Aminah Vega was named Defensive Player of the Year, and coach Marissa Young earned the Coach of the Year award.