LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A day before heading into the opening game of the 2015 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, the No. 8 LSU softball team learned on Thursday that it had seven of its players named to one of the three NFCA All-South Region Teams, including having five on the first team which is the most ever in LSU history.
“To have seven of our players selected all-region by the NFCA is an amazing honor, and one they have earned through their dedication and hard work to our team and this season,” head coach Beth Torina said. “They have done everything and more we’ve asked of them, while being selfless and representing LSU with class and honor. We are very proud of them.”
Leading the way with first team honors begins with Carley Hoover as one of the pitchers to earn her first region honor, followed by Bianka Bell at shortstop that is making the cut for the third time in her career and second time earning first team honors.
Bailey Landry is a first-teamer for the first time in her career at the outfield position, while teammate and senior A.J. Andrews is a first team selection at the other outfield position for the second time in her illustrious career and third time overall.
Earning first team honors for the second consecutive year is Sahvanna Jaquish at the designated player/utility-non pitcher position, becoming the first LSU player since Rachele Fico to earn back-to-back first team selections, while also being the first player since Lauren Castle to be voted at that spot in consecutive seasons.
Freshman pitcher Allie Walljasper was named NFCA All-South Region Second Team, while junior catcher Kellsi Kloss was named the NFCA All-South Region Third Team catcher.
Of the seven selected, six were All-SEC selections as well in Andrews, Bell, Hoover, Kloss and Landry, as LSU tied for the second-most selections along with UCLA, Georgia, Minnesota, James Madison and Notre Dame who also had seven.
The all-region teams were voted on by NFCA member coaches from each respective region, and all the honorees now become eligible for selection to one of three 2015 NFCA Division I All-American teams which will be announced later this month.
For all of the latest news and information on Tiger softball, visit www.lsusports.net/softball. Fans can also follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/lsusoftball along with @lsusoftball and @BethTorina on Twitter and @lsusb on Instagram.
2015 NFCA All-South Region Teams
First Team
P Alexis Osorio University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
P Carley Hoover Louisiana State University
C Ivie Drake Georgia State University
1B Stacy McClelland University of North Florida
2B Demi Turner University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
3B Marisa Runyon University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
SS Bianka Bell Louisiana State University
OF Haylie McCleney University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
OF Bailey Landry Louisiana State University
OF A.J. Andrews Louisiana State University
UT/P Courtney Brandt Stetson University
DP/UT-Non-P Sahvanna Jaquish Louisiana State University
Second Team
P Allie Walljasper Louisiana State University
P Kylee Hanson Florida Atlantic University
C Erika Piankastelli McNeese State University
1B Lauren Coleman Georgia State University
2B Julia Echols Mississippi State University
3B Tori Vidales Texas A&M University, College Station
SS Peyton Hedrick Abilene Christian University
OF Katie Lacour Southeastern Louisiana University
OF Megan Litumbe Georgia State University
OF Kellye Kincannon Northwestern State University
UT/P No Nominees
DP/UT-Non-P Chloe Rathburn University of South Alabama
Third Team
P Kalen McGill University of South Alabama
P Alexis Silkwood Mississippi State University
P Kristen Stevens Mercer University
P Mikayla Brown Northwestern State University
P Chelsea King Alabama State University
P Jaycee Affeldt Troy University
C Kellsi Kloss Louisiana State University
1B Devon Wallace University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
2B Criket Blanco University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
3B Canessa Swanson Jackson State University
3B Callie Alford Georgia State University
SS Danae Hays University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
SS Sierra Bishop Furman University
OF Megan Dowdy Samford University
OF Taylor Schoblocher University of North Texas
OF Ashley Christy Georgia State University
UT/P No Nominees
DP/UT-Non-P Mackenzie Toler Mississippi State University