Release courtesy of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association

05/14/09 - NFCA Release

2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Region Teams

The 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Region Teams were announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on Thursday. Each of the eight NFCA Division II Regions presents a 13-member first-team and 13-member second-team comprised of one player per team representing the positions of catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, designated player, utility/pitcher and utility/non-pitcher, plus two pitchers and three outfielders per teams.

Ties were not broken, bringing the total number of student-athletes honored to 107 for this season. All 107 players will be eligible for Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America honors.

The Atlantic Region team was led by five selections from Lock Haven University including three-time first-team All-America pitcher Kristin Erb. The Haven will play host to super regional play this weekend, facing off against second-seed Kutztown, which placed one student-athlete on the region first team and two on the second team.

In the Central Region, Winona State leads the way with four first-team All-Region Selections. Pitcher Stacey Struzynski, second baseman Amanda Wilhelm, outfielder Terra Halron and DP Kayla Lewis lead the way for the Warriors, who play host to a super regional this weekend against seventh seed Mesa State. The Mavericks Utility/Non-Pitcher Lauren Cross also earned first-team All-Region notice.

The East Region first team is dominated by the two programs that will face off in super-regional play this weekend. Third-seeded Georgian Court leads the way with three firs-team selections including pitcher Diana Sansevera, outfielder Mallory Kirchner and Utility/Non-Pitcher Rachel Ruch. Top-seeded Le Moyne's two first teamers, pitcher Jenna Venacore and DP Kelcie Cashel, will lead the Dolphins as they play host to Georgian Court this weekend for the best-of-three series.

Saginaw Valley State dominates the Midwest Region first team with five first-team players. The second seed in the region's NCAA Tournament draw, the Cardinals play host to fifth-seeded Indianapolis in super regional play this weekend. Greyhounds DP Megan Russell was also named to the first-team and will lead Indianapolis in tournament play this weekend.

Top seeded Alabama Huntsville placed five student-athletes on the South Region first team, and will play host to second-seeded Valdosta State for super regional play this weekend. Despite being shut out of the All-Region first team, the Blazers are well-represented on the second team with five selections.

It will be another battle between top seeds in the South Central super regional this weekend. Top-seeded Angelo State has three first-team All-Region selections, including the bulk of their infield as 1B Sandy James, 2B Alix Dean and shortstop Macy Baker earned first-team All-Region honors. Second-seeded Southeastern Oklahoma State placed pitcher Marjorie Johnson on the All-Region first team with two additional selections named as second team selections.

In the Southeast Region, top seed North Georgia leads the way with four first-team All-Region selections and will play host to seventh seed Carson-Newman in this weekend's super regional. Carson-Newman first baseman Sarah Little leads the way as her school's lone first-team All-Region selection.

Defending NCAA Champion Humboldt State completed its 2009 season last weekend at regionals, but still leads the way with three first-team All-West Region selections including catcher Marissa Slattery, 1B Natalie Galletly and outfielder Nikki Ketteringham. Cal State Stanislaus, the fourth seed in the region, eliminated the Lumberjacks last weekend and tied Humboldt State with three first-team All-Region selections of their own including shortstop Megan Franksen, Util/Pitcher Jennifer Arnold and Util/Non-Pitcher Ashlee Genseal. Dixie State, the regional third seed, plays host to this weekend's super regional and had two first-team All-Region selections in 3B Haley Schumers and outfielder Dabney McIntyre.

The 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-America Teams will be announced on Wednesday, May 20, at the banquet preceding the NCAA Championship Tournament in Salem, Va.