LOUISVILLE, Ky. – No. 22/21 Virginia Tech softball racked up seven players named to the NFCA All-Region team, representing the Mid-Atlantic Region, as announced by the organization on Thursday.
Florida State (Southeast), JMU (Northeast), Oklahoma (Central) and Washington (Pacific) led the charge with all eight of their nominations receiving All-Region recognition. Arizona (West), UCLA (West) and Virginia Tech (Mid-Atlantic) took home seven honors apiece. Alabama (South), Michigan (Great Lakes) and Texas Tech (Central) garnered six each.
Seven Sooners were recognized with first-team plaudits, while six Hokies and six Wildcats were named to the first team. The Huskies earned five first-team honors with four first teamers coming from LSU (South), the Dukes and the Seminoles.
Pitchers Carrie Eberle (25-6, 1.73 ERA) and Keely Rochard (20-3, 1.70 ERA), third baseman Kelsey Bennett (.392, 44 RBIs), shortstop Caitlyn Nolan (.301, 53 RBIs) and outfielders Emma Strouth (.412, 66 RBIs) and Darby Trull (.405, 36 RBIs) were tabbed first team, while first baseman Jayme Bailey (.397, 16 RBIs) earned second team.
The seven players making the team in the Mid-Atlantic region is the most in school history, topping the previous high of three set in 2009.
The all-region teams were chosen by NFCA member coaches from each region, and all the honorees will now be eligible for selection to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America first, second or third teams. In addition, conference pitchers and players of the year not selected to the regional teams were added for All-America consideration.
Up next for Tech is the NCAA Tournament, kicking it off on Friday at noon ET versus Illinois (32-23, 9-14 B1G) in the Lexington Regional.
