SAN MARCOS, Texas – After a 2024 season that saw a Sun Belt Conference Championship and one of the lowest ERA's in the nation, former Texas State softball pitcher Jessica Mullins was named the Sun Belt Conference's 2023-24 Female Student Athlete of the Year on Tuesday by the conference office.
 
"Words can't describe how honored and blessed I feel to have received this valuable of an award," Mullins said. "I want to thank God, my family, my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who I've crossed paths with during my past four years at Texas State. I wouldn't be the person I am today and be achieving this without their unwavering support. I am and will forever be proud to be a Bobcat through and through!"
 
Mullins was named a First Team All-American this past year and continued her career after college as a member of the Women's Professional Fastpitch League's Texas Smoke this summer. Mulliins at the Texas Smoke were 2024 WPF Champions.
 
Mullins  was selected as the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year and All-Conference teams while also being named to the Sun Belt All-Tournament team following the Bobcats 2024 championship. In her career Mullins was a four-time NFCA All-Region honoree, being named All-American in her final season. Mullins was also two-time SBC Pitcher of the Year, four-time All-Conference and 10x Pitcher of the Week in her career.
 
In the 2024 season, Mullins made 48 appearances with 37 starts, she finished with 31 wins, which was the most in the nation, and four saves. Mullins had one of the best ERA's in the nation with a 1.45 ERA with 246.2 innings pitched, allowing just 37 extra base hits in that time. Mullins struck out 222 batters on the year and over 800 in her career.
 
Mullins is the third Texas State student-athlete to receive the conference's top honor, though she is first female. Mullins joins former men's basketball player Nijal Pearson who took home the 2019-20 award, and former baseball player Tristan Stivors who won the 2021-22 award.