Shelton State's Keplinger Named ACCC Pitcher Of The Week

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Shelton State sophomore Konner Keplinger has been named the Alabama Community College Conference's (ACCC) Pitcher of the Week for his standout performance against Lawson State on March 27.

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Keplinger, a left-hander from Morris who transferred to Shelton State from Auburn, got the win after tossing seven scoreless innings in the 4-0 victory. Across his latest start, he struck out seven, while walking only two and surrendering a pair of hits.

He threw 86 pitches in the win, averaging only 12.3 pitches per inning, as he limited the Cougars to singles. Keplinger retired eight straight batters in the first, second, third and fourth innings, before retiring six straight in the fourth, fifth and six innings

Keplinger is now 3-0 on season for the Bucs, posting a 0.99 earned run average over seven starts and 27.1 innings thrown.

He is the first Bucs player to be honored by the league office this season as Shelton State leads the nation in ERA and WHIP this season.

During his one year in Auburn, he made a pair of relief appearances against Wichita State and Austin Peay. He also earned his way onto the 2023-24 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.

Keplinger attended Mortimer Jordan High School and was rated by Perfect Game as the No. 16 overall player in the state, along with being the No. 3 left-handed pitcher.

He was a 2023 ASWA Class 6A First Team All-State selection and holds his alma mater's school records for career strikeouts (301), wins (23), ERA (1.26) and single-season strikeouts (138).

Keplinger's strikeout total his senior season was the fifth most in the country.

He's the son of Michelle and Keith Keplinger.

Shelton State baseball (29-7, 13-5 ACCC) will return to action Saturday when the Bucs take on Wallace-Hanceville for a doubleheader in Tuscaloosa.

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