American softball player
Baseball player
Chelsea Rae Thomas (born January 26, 1990)[1][2] is an American former collegiate softball pitcher, originally from Pleasantville, Iowa.[3][4][5] Thomas pitched for the Missouri Tigers in the Big 12 Conference and Southeastern Conference; Thomas is the career leader in wins and strikeouts for the school.[6] She ranks top-10 for no hitters (11) and perfect games (3) in the NCAA Division I.[7] Thomas and was drafted #20 in the National Pro Fastpitch and won a title in 2014.
Early life and education
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Thomas attended Pleasantville High School.[1] She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biology in fall 2012[8] and a Master of Education in counseling in fall 2013.[2]
Career
Thomas debuted on February 14, defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies in a shutout, allowing a hit and fanning three batters.[9] She would no hit the Southeast Missouri Redhawks on March 7.[10] During her sophomore year, Thomas set a career best with 14 strikeouts in regulation, winning against the Illinois State Redbirds on March 14 before having to redshirt the year because of injury.[11]
In 2011, Thomas was named Big-12 Pitcher of The Year and led the Nation in ERA. On March 2, she pitched a perfect game against the Drake Bulldogs with 11 strikeouts.[12] Thomas would go on to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners on April 16 and totaled 17 strikeouts and combined with Keilani Ricketts for 33 total for a top NCAA single game record.[13] She led the Tigers into the 2011 Women's College World Series and help set the combined strikeout record (30) at the World Series by throwing a career best 19 strikeouts in a 13-inning loss to the Baylor Bears on June 4.[14] Thomas earned a second Pitcher of The Year citation and tossed 46.0 consecutive scoreless innings for a career highlight in 2012.
In her final year, Thomas crossed 1,000 strikeouts for her career vs. the Mississippi Rebels on March 15 with four in two innings.[15] She claimed her 100th career victory run-rule defeating the Missouri State Bears on April 3. Thomas made her final appearance losing to the Washington Huskies on May 24, fanning four in a 1–0 two-hitter.[16] Thomas was named 2013 SEC Pitcher of the Year.[17]
As a member of the United States women's national softball team she won 2011 World Cup of Softball.[18] In 2013, she played professional softball for the USSSA Pride in the National Pro Fastpitch league. She is currently an assistant coach of the McKendree University softball team.[19]
