Charlotte, NC – With an array of achievements filtering in after a national championship run, Jensen Howell of the LSU Eunice (LA) Bengals has added the pinnacle award to the sophomore’s resume – 2019 Dudley® NJCAA Division II Pitcher of the Year.
Behind 22 victories in the circle from Howell, the Bengals capped a 52-6 campaign with the program’s sixth national championship, a contest that Howell tossed five innings of shutout relief work to earn the title-clinching win. Howell’s dominant season earns the Bengals’ second top NJCAA pitching accolade since 2014, joining former standout Raven Cole.
Personal
- Position: RHP
- Height: 5-9
- Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Alexandria, LA
2019 Statistics
- 22-3, four saves
- 142.2 innings pitched
- 1.03 earned run average
- 0.98 WHIP
- .183 batting average against
- 173 strikeouts
- 12 complete games
- 1 no-hitter
2019 Accomplishments
- NJCAA Division II First Team All-American
- NJCAA Division II Tournament Most Outstanding Pitcher
- NJCAA Division II All-Tournament Team
- NJCAA Division II Softball National Champion
- NJCAA Pitcher of the Week (2/13)
- NJCAA Division II All-Region XXIII
- NFCA Division II First Team All-American
- NFCA Division II South All-Region First Team
- Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana Collegiate Softball Second Team
Former LSU Eunice head coach Andy Lee on Howell
On Jensen’s season: Jensen was such a huge part of a really great season. She teamed up with Heather Zumo and made what I think was the best 1-2 pitching duo in the nation, regardless of division. Jensen worked really hard to put herself in a position to succeed and I couldn't be more proud of her being named NJCAA Pitcher of the Year.
On LSU Eunice’s championship run with Jensen: Without Jensen, we probably don't sweep through the postseason unbeaten. She elevated her play when it matters most and that's the mark of a great athlete.
On what makes Jensen special: Everyone always wants to talk about her velocity, but what makes Jensen unhittable is her off-speed. When her off-speed pitches are working, there aren't many hitters out there that are going to have success against her.
Howell’s Reaction
“I would like to thank the NJCAA for selecting me to receive this award. This been a memorable season at LSUE. I will never forget my team or my coaches. I would like to thank God, my family, my coaches, and my friends. This team by far was amazing, and I will never forget them. Without my team of sisters, none of this would have been possible.”