A former Knoxville Softball standout recently completed her freshman season at Missouri Western State University getting honorable mention M-I-A-A recognition. Ashlyn Finarty had a solid season pitching and was effective at the plate for the Griffins. In 37 complete innings pitched, Finarty struck out 16 batters while only walking six and had an ERA of 3.41 while going 7-1. At the plate Finarty started off slow but gained momentum after hitting her first home run of her college career. Finarty tells KNIA/KRLS Sports after that game, she found her confidence at the plate.

Finarty: “In the beginning I was really nervous and I was on a career strikeout streak and then I hit a couple home runs and then I realized, I’m here and ready to make this a go.”

Finarty was also dealing with a torn labrum injury all season. Finarty will use the offseason to recover and rehab from that injury and hopes to be ready by the fall season. She had 39 hits with six home runs and a .277 batting average. Missouri Western State finished with a 31-20 record this spring. Listen for a complete interview with Finarty on a future segment of Today’s Lely Radio Sports Page on KNIA/KRLS.