Chelsea Thomas

{{Infobox baseball biography

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| name = Chelsea Thomas

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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|1|26}}

| birth_place = Des Moines, Iowa

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Missouri Tigers (2009–2013)

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2× Big 12 Pitcher of the Year (2011, 2012)
SEC Pitcher of the Year (2013)

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{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}

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Chelsea Rae Thomas (born January 26, 1990){{cite web |url=https://mutigers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1360|title=Player Bio: Chelsea Thomas |publisher=mutigers.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704125742/http://www.mutigers.com/sports/w-softbl/mtt/thomas_chelsea00.html|archivedate=July 4, 2013|accessdate=June 28, 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://munews.missouri.edu/student-honors/grad-list-fall2013/iowa.php |title=Iowa | MU News Bureau |access-date=June 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628233555/https://munews.missouri.edu/student-honors/grad-list-fall2013/iowa.php |archive-date=June 28, 2018 |url-status=dead }} is an American former collegiate softball pitcher, originally from Pleasantville, Iowa.{{cite web |url=https://nfca.org/awards/awards-history/2011-di-all-americans-4219 |title=2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams |location=Nfca.org |date= |accessdate=2020-07-16}}{{cite web |url=https://nfca.org/awards/nfca-all-americans/2012-d1-all-americans-5059 |title=2012 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams |location=Nfca.org |date= |accessdate=2020-07-16}}{{cite web |url=https://nfca.org/awards/nfca-all-americans/2013-d1-all-americans-5484 |title=2013 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams |location=Nfca.org |date= May 29, 2013|accessdate=2020-07-16}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://mutigers.com/documents/2020/2/5/2020_Media_Guide_FINAL.pdf |title=2020 Mizzou Softball Media Guide |location=Mutigers.com |date= |accessdate=2020-10-16}} She ranks top-10 for no hitters (11) and perfect games (3) in the NCAA Division I.{{cite web |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/SB_Records/2020/D1.pdf |title=Division I Softball Records |location=Ncaa.org |date= |accessdate=2020-07-16}} 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. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biology in fall 2012{{cite web |title=Boone {{!}} MU News Bureau |url=https://munews.missouri.edu/student-honors/grad-list-fall2012/missouri/boone.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308041524/http://munews.missouri.edu/student-honors/grad-list-fall2012/missouri/boone.php |archive-date=2013-03-08 |website=munews.missouri.edu}} and a Master of Education in counseling in fall 2013.

Career

Thomas debuted on February 14, defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies in a shutout, allowing a hit and fanning three batters.{{cite web |url=http://stats.mutigers.com/sports/w-softbl/2008-2009/game02.html |title=Virginia Tech vs Missouri (Feb 14, 2009) |location=Mutigers.com |date= |accessdate=2020-10-16}} She would no hit the Southeast Missouri Redhawks on March 7.{{cite web |url=https://gosoutheast.com/news/2009/3/7/030709aaa_605 |title=Redhawks Conclude Tourney With Split |location=Gosoutheast.com |date=2009-03-07 |accessdate=2020-10-16}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://stats.mutigers.com/sports/w-softbl/2009-2010/mu-isu.html |title=Illinois State vs Missouri (Mar 14, 2010) |location=Mutigers.com |date= |accessdate=2020-10-16}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://godrakebulldogs.com/news/2011/3/2/205107533.aspx?path=softball |title=BULLDOGS DROP DOUBLEHEADER AT NO. 17 MISSOURI |location=Godrakebulldogs.com |date=2011-03-02 |accessdate=2020-10-16}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://soonersports.com/sports/2011/4/16/Stats_5253.aspx |title=#15 Oklahoma at #14 Missouri |location=Soonersports.com |date= |accessdate=2020-10-16}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://baylorbears.com/news/2011/6/5/Deja_Boom_Holl_s_Blast_Gives_Softball_1_0_Win.aspx |title=Deja Boom: Holl's Blast Gives Softball 1-0 Win |location=Baylorbears.com |date=2011-06-04 |accessdate=2020-10-16}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://stats.mutigers.com/sports/w-softbl/2012-2013/miz0315.html |title=MISSOURI vs Ole Miss (Mar 15, 2013) |location=Mutigers.com |date= |accessdate=2020-10-16}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://stats.mutigers.com/sports/w-softbl/2012-2013/ncaasrg2.html |title=MISSOURI vs Washington (May 24, 2013) |location=Mutigers.com |date= |accessdate=2020-10-16}} Thomas was named 2013 SEC Pitcher of the Year.{{cite web |date=May 7, 2013 |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2013/05/07/4223091/missouris-chelsea-thomas-wins.html |title=Missouri's Chelsea Thomas wins SEC softball pitcher of the year honor}}

As a member of the United States women's national softball team she won 2011 World Cup of Softball.{{cite web |date=July 26, 2011 |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/softball/story/_/id/6802037/us-beats-japan-claim-world-cup-softball-title |title=U.S. wins World Cup of Softball |publisher=ESPN |access-date=September 6, 2011}} 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.{{cite web |date= |title=Chelsea Thomas - 2021 Softball Coaching Staff - McKendree University |url=https://mckbearcats.com/coaches.aspx?rc=2458&path=softball |accessdate=2020-10-16 |location=Mckbearcats.com}}