Columbia University freshman Mads Lawson earned Ivy League Pitcher of the Week for the second straight week after throwing two complete-game shutouts against Yale. Her weekend domination made her the first Lion to win back-to-back weekly pitching honors and the first first-year player to claim the award multiple times in one season.
Columbia’s softball staff and Manhattan fans have a new favorite: Rancho Murieta native Mads Lawson. The first-year right-hander posted consecutive complete-game shutouts in a weekend series at Yale, going 2-0 with 14.0 innings pitched, 14 strikeouts, four hits allowed, one walk and two hit batters — performances that propelled her to consecutive Ivy League Pitcher of the Week nods and a place in Columbia history.
Major Plays
Lawson opened the Yale series with a three-hit complete-game shutout on Saturday, stranding runners in scoring position after early trouble and retiring nine straight batters from the first through the fourth inning. She finished that outing with eight strikeouts over seven frames.
In the series finale, she carried a perfect game into the fifth and kept Yale hitless until a leadoff single in the seventh. Lawson struck out six in that game, bringing her season total to 99 strikeouts — a mark tied for eighth-most in a single season in Columbia history.
Outstanding Achievement
Across the two-game sweep of the Bulldogs she totaled 14 strikeouts in 14.0 innings, allowing just four hits. Lawson also became the first pitcher in program history to record three straight shutouts and has not allowed a run to score in 20.2 innings pitched.
For the season she’s 9-6 with a 2.44 ERA, 103.1 innings pitched and 99 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .218 against her. Her 99 strikeouts rank 62nd nationally and ninth among first-year pitchers, and she’s among national leaders with 13 complete games and four shutouts.
Compliments
Columbia head coach Jennier Teague summarized Lawson’s impact plainly: “Mads has been incredibly solid and consistent for us on the mound,” Teague said. “Beyond her performance, she’s an outstanding teammate, and her leadership from the circle has been a big addition for our group this year. We’re really happy to see her success and proud of what she continues to do for our team.”
Concerns
In NYC Lawson’s breakout is significant for New York college athletics — giving Columbia a true weekend anchor in Ivy play and boosting the local softball profile. A freshman performing at this level helps the program’s visibility across the city and could influence recruiting and fan interest throughout the five boroughs.
The Future
Columbia heads out on a six-game road trip starting Saturday with a three-game series at Cornell; first pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. The Lions will look to ride Lawson’s momentum as they chase Ivy positioning and broader postseason goals.
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