SOFTBALL'S SHIFFLETT, CREASY, HIMAN AND KEEFE EARN ALL-REGION HONORS
5/20/2010 4:25:54 PM | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Radford softball's Kristen Shifflett, Hope Creasy, Sarah Himan and Shannon Keefe were named 2010 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-Region selections announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Thursday afternoon.
In the Mid-Atlantic Region, Shifflett, Creasy and Himan were named to the first team, while Keefe was tabbed to the second team. All four Highlanders were Big South First Team selections. It was the second straight selection for Himan, while Shifflett, Creasy and Keefe are first-time honorees.
The NFCA Division I All-Region teams honor student-athletes from 10 NFCA regions, and a total of 256 players from 116 different institutions comprise this season's regional teams.
Shifflett, the 2010 Big South Player of the Year and Tournament MVP, ranks amongst the top five in 11 Big South offensive categories, leading in hits (70), hits per game (1.4), batting average (.412), runs (54) and slugging (.729). The junior shortstop has the top fielding percentage at her position and has tallied 23 multiple-hit games. Shifflett has recorded a hit in 38 of her last 44 games and reached base safely in 39 contests. She also took the all-time home run lead with her 33rd and 34th round trippers at the Big South Tournament.
Creasy, a senior rightfielder, batted .329 with eight doubles, 12 home runs and 31 runs scored, while slugging .638 and leading the outfield with five assists. On April 24 at Winthrop, Creasy launched her 32nd career home run, breaking the long-standing record of 31 held by Melissa Pickel (1995-97, '99). She currently ranks second at Radford in long balls, fourth in RBI (132) and eighth in hits (194).
Himan has made steady improvements to her game over four seasons in a Highlander uniform. In 2010, the senior catcher is batting .377 with 14 doubles, 11 home runs and 44 RBI, all career highs. She also chipped in with 60 hits and 25 runs scored, while slugging .686 and posting a .418 on base percentage. Himan has reached base safely in 45 of 51 contests this season, recording a hit in 39. During her illustrious Highlander career, she is second on the career doubles list (46), tied for second in hits (240), third in RBI (131) and sixth in home runs (25).
A junior centerfielder, Keefe garnered her second first team all-conference selection and third overall in a Highlander uniform. She batted .352 with a team-leading 15 doubles to go along with four home runs, 33 RBI and a career-best 14 stolen bases. Keefe may be known most for her two spectacular catches in the 2010 Big South championship game when she robbed a leadoff home run and then snagged a sinking line drive and doubled off the runner to end the ball game.
Radford suits up for regional play, tomorrow May 21 when it takes on Florida State at 2:30 pm from UGA Softball Stadium in Athens, Ga.
Mid-Atlantic Region
First Team
P Jen Mineau Fordham University
P Melanie Mitchell University of Virginia
C Sarah Himan Radford University
1B Jamie LaBovick Fordham University
2B Beckah Wiggins Fordham University
3B Jocelyn Dearborn Fordham University
SS Kristen Shifflett Radford University
UT/P Nicole Koren University of Virginia
UT/DP Jessica Phillips Binghamton University
OF Hope Creasy Radford University
OF Erin Fisher Fordham University
OF Sarah Tacke University of Virginia
Second Team
P Tiffany Curtis Lehigh University
P Elizabeth Dalrymple Cornell University
P Emily Jeffery University of North Carolina, Charlotte
P Tiffani Smith Liberty University
P Alyssa Struzenberg Stony Brook University
C Deannie Plemon Binghamton University
1B Julie Fernandez Lehigh University
1B Christa Fullwood Gardner-Webb University
2B Renee Ramos Boston College
3B Alex Schultz University of Maryland, College Park
SS Alyson Intihar Cornell University
UT/P Kasey Karr Lafayette College
UT/DP Kristin Nicoletti Saint Louis University
OF Lauren Fry Bucknell University
OF Shannon Keefe Radford University
OF Jordan Reid Delaware State University
OF Serena Smith University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Thursday, April 23
Sunday, April 12
Thursday, April 02
Saturday, March 21
