WINNIPEG, MANITOBA— Winthrop sophomore pitcher Natalie Becker went 3-0 with a 0.91 earned run average and recorded 29 strikeouts in 23 innings as she helped ON1 Brantford Bobcats capture the U-19 Women's Canadian Fast Pitch Championship on Aug. 21.

The crafty lefty, who led Winthrop in strikeouts as a freshman, started off the weekend with a three-hit shutout in a 7-0 victory over HOST Smittys. Then Becker allowed just one unearned run on three hits in a 2-1 victory over DC Survey. Becker faced DC Survey again in the championship on Sunday, Aug. 21 and turned in another impressive performance as her team won 4-3 in 10 innings. Becker allowed three runs on six hits to go along with 13 strikeouts while tossing all 10 innings. She pitched every game but one during the championship and finished with a 5-1 record.

"I am extremely proud of Natalie,” said Winthrop head softball coach Mark Cooke. “She pitched all week long and was terrific in the 10 inning finale. She showed her competitive spirit and mental toughness through a long week. I followed every game on the internet and really enjoyed her having a terrific National Tournament. I believe that this championship will carry over into our season as she is now a veteran on the staff and is no longer a rookie for us."

This is the second national championship for Becker as she was on the winning U-16 team in 2008.

Becker won four games in her first season with the Eagles and tossed eight complete games. Her team-high of 107 strikeouts came in 100 innings pitched.