411OnTheForty: Osterman named first Athletes Unlimited MVP

September 29, 2020September 30, 2020Athletes Unlimited, CAT OSTERMAN, Texas Softball

At 37 years old, former Texas pitcher Cat Osterman remains a member of Team USA (photo courtesy of texassports.com).

Cat Osterman has always appeared to be head and shoulders above the rest.

Osterman made another claim to that description Monday, when the 37-year-old pitcher earned the first Most Valuable Player award in Athletes Unlimited history.

And finally, our first-ever Champion in Athletes Unlimited history... @catosterman! #BeUnlimited pic.twitter.com/fW8pGAYAdD
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) September 29, 2020

The league provided Osterman an opportunity to compete along with and against her future teammates on the national team throughout the six-week season. Osterman registered 95 strikeouts, six complete games, two shutouts and an impressive 1.53 earned run average during her first, and possibly only season with Athletes Unlimited.

With 2408 points, 95 Ks through 64 IP, a 1.53 ERA and a record of 13-1, Cat Osterman led not only in the circle but also in the circle all season long.

Let's look back at some of those moments. pic.twitter.com/gpKrxQjKUU
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) September 29, 2020

The league uses a unique scoring system, rewarding players points for their performances. For a pitcher such as Osterman, those stats include strikeouts, wins, and outs. The top four point scorers each week become team captains for the next. Osterman was a captain for four of the season's five weeks.

"The circle is where I am ME. This was beyond fun," Osterman posted on Twitter Monday night.

The circle is where I am ME. This was beyond fun. Thank you @g_svekis for being a big part of that. #5weeksstrong https://t.co/SI2nN9JB7e
— Cat Osterman OLY (@catosterman) September 29, 2020

She also made sure to thank catcher Gwen Svekis, who was the starter behind the dish for five straight weeks for Osterman's teams. Both Osterman and Svekis are members of Team USA, and assuming the rescheduled Olympics are held, the duo will team up again in Tokyo next summer.