LSU Gold

#37 Rachele Fico Season 2013

Position
Pitcher
Height
5'7
Class
Senior
Hometown
Oxford, Conn.
B/T
R
High School
Masuk HS

2013 NFCA All-America First Team
2013 NFCA All-South Region First Team
2013 NFCA National Player of the Week (04/30)
2013 USA Softball Player of the Year Top 25 Finalist
2013 USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List
2013 All-SEC Second Team
2013 SEC Pitcher of the Week (02/11, 03/11)
2013 All-SEC Preseason Team
2013 Senior Class Award Top 10 Finalist
2013 All-Louisiana First Team
2013 LSWA Pitcher of the Week (02/14, 02/21, 02/27, 03/14, 05/02)
2013 Purple & Gold Challenge All-Tournament Team
2013 Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team
2013 USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List
2013 All-SEC Preseason Team
2012 NFCA All-America First Team
2012 NFCA All-South Region First Team
2012 All-SEC Second Team
2012 NCAA College Station All-Regional Team & Regional MVP
2012 USA Softball Player of the Year Top 25 Finalist
2012 Louisiana Pitcher of the Year
2012 All-Louisiana First Team
2012 Louisiana Pitcher of the Week (02/15, 02/29, 04/04, 04/10, 04/27, 05/05)
2012 Purple & Gold Challenge All-Tournament Team
2012 Tiger Invitational All-Tournament Team
2012 Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team
2011 NCAA College Station All-Regional Team
2011 USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List
2011 All-Louisiana Honorable Mention
2011 Louisiana Pitcher of the Week (04/05)
2011 SEC Academic Honor Roll
2010 NFCA All-South Region First Team
2010 SEC Co-Freshman of the Year
2010 All-SEC Second-Team
2010 All-SEC Freshman Team
2010 All-SEC Defensive Team
2010 LSWA Freshman of the Year
2010 All-Louisiana First Team
2010 SEC Pitcher of the Week (04/19, 04/26)
2010 SEC Freshman of the Week (03/22)
2010 Louisiana Pitcher of the Week (03/02, 03/24, 04/20)
2010 Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team
2010 Tiger Invitational All-Tournament Team & Tournament MVP
2010 Purple & Gold Challenge All-Tournament Team

NPF
Fico was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Akron Racers during the National Pro Fastpitch Draft on April 1 … Marked the fourth straight season that the SEC had the No. 1 overall pick in the NPF Draft … Teammate Brittany Mack was the No. 1 pick of the 2012 NPF Draft.

SENIOR SEASON (2013)
Totaled a 24-13 mark, a 2.34 ERA, recorded 232 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .200 batting average during her 224.1 innings of work … Twirled 10 shutouts, tied for 11th nationally … Her 24 wins and 232 Ks were tied for fourth place in the SEC … The 24 wins and 232 strikeouts also were tied for 31st and 38th nationally … Came away with NFCA All-America First-Team honors for the second straight season to become only the third player in program history joining Ashlee Ducote (1998 & 2000) and Britni Sneed (2001 & 2002) to accomplish that feat … Secured NFCA All-South First-Team, All-SEC Second-Team and All-Louisiana First-Team accolades … One of four players in program history to collect three All-Louisiana First-Team honors during her career … Finished her career with 797 strikeouts and 78 victories to rank third and fourth in program history … Racked up 32 career shutouts, fourth-best in program history … Named a USA Softball Top 25 Player of the Year and Senior Class Award Top 10 finalist … One of two pitchers to rank among SEC’s Top 4 in wins (11), ERA (2.27), Ks (94) & opponent average (.198) during league games … Was LSU’s opening day starting pitcher and fired a five-hit shutout during an 8-0 victory over No. 22 North Carolina (Feb. 8) … Tossed another five-hitter fueled by 14 strikeouts over 10 innings in 1-0 win over Tulsa (Feb. 9) … Picked up the first of two SEC Pitcher of the Week awards (Feb. 11) in addition to Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team accolades … Added 11 Ks during victories over North Dakota State (Feb. 15) and Virginia (Feb. 16) en route to a Purple & Gold Challenge All-Tournament Team selection … Fired the program’s 33rd no-hitter, second of her career, versus Ohio State (Feb. 22) … Tallied a four-hit shutout against No. 14 Arizona (Feb. 23) … Notched 10-strikeout efforts versus No. 14 Michigan (March 2) and No. 15 Louisville (March 3) … Won her first five SEC decisions (March 8-22) … Tied the SEC’s single-game strikeout record held by Tennessee All-American Monica Abbott with 22 Ks during a four-hit shutout and 1-0 victory at Mississippi State (March 8) … Awarded SEC’s Pitcher of the Week (March 11) … Became the fourth pitcher in program history to surpass 700 strikeouts during win over No. 17 Kentucky (March 15) … Claimed her 69th career win, a two-hitter versus Georgia Southern (March 19), to move past Ashley Lewis for fourth place on LSU’s all-time list … Notched series-clinching road victories versus Arkansas (April 7) and No. 10 Texas A&M (April 14) … The win at Arkansas allowed Fico to become the third pitcher in program history, Britni Sneed and Ashley Lewis, to garner three 20-win seasons … Won both of her decisions during series sweep of No. 4 Alabama (April 25 & 27) which enabled LSU to clinch the SEC’s Western Division title … Took home NFCA National Player of the Week (April 30), the sixth player in program history to secure the award … Eclipsed fellow All-American Emily Turner for third place on LSU’s strikeout list with three Ks at Georgia (May 3) … Received zero runs of support over final three career starts which included a pair of tough-luck losses to No. 21 Louisiana-Lafayette (May 18 & 19) at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional … Secured NCAA All-Regional Team honors during all four seasons of her career.

JUNIOR SEASON (2012)
Garnered a 20-13 record, a stout 1.12 ERA, amassed 221 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .183 batting average during her 230.1 innings of work … All four marks [wins, ERA, strikeouts and opponent batting average] were among the SEC’s Top 6 … Her 1.12 ERA ranked fourth and her 13 shutouts were fifth in the nation … Secured NFCA All-American First-Team, NFCA All-South Region First-Team and All-SEC Second-Team accolades … Sixth player in program history to notch NFCA All-American First-Team honors … Earned All-Louisiana First-Team selection, Louisiana Pitcher of the Year award and notched Louisiana Pitcher of the Week award on six occasions … 12 of her 13 losses came against RPI Top 35 teams … In her 13 setbacks, Fico received just 10 total runs of offensive support … Seven of her losses came by either 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 decisions … Tossed a two-hit shutout fueled by 10 strikeouts against Penn State (Feb. 11) during her season debut … Fired one-hit gems versus Louisiana Tech (Feb. 12), Utah State (Feb. 19), McNeese State (Feb. 25) and Troy (March 10) … Recorded the final out and registered the save during LSU’s 7-4 win over No. 23 Oklahoma State (March 3) … Pieced together four straight SEC shutouts against Mississippi State (March 18), South Carolina (March 23, 25) and Arkansas (March 30) … Notched 11 Ks during a three-hit masterpiece versus the Razorbacks … One of four pitchers to defeat national champion and No. 2 Alabama (April 7) at Rhodes Stadium … Totaled nine strikeouts and allowed two runs on four hits versus the Crimson Tide … Three-hit shutout of Ole Miss (April 20) was Fico’s 50th career victory … Notched 11 Ks in a 2-1 tough-luck, extra-inning loss at No. 2 Florida (April 24) … Rolled to season’s best 13 strikeouts during a 1-0 setback against No. 12 Georgia (April 27) … The 13 Ks enabled Fico to become the fifth pitcher to surpass 500 Ks in LSU history … Tossed a four-hit shutout and notched six Ks in a 1-0 victory over No. 12 Georgia (April 29) … Compiled back-to-back two-hit shutouts of Texas State (May 18) and No. 8 national seed Texas A&M (May 19) en route to unanimous  NCAA College Station Regional MVP selection … Earned both of LSU’s victories over No. 9 national seed Missouri (May 26-27) at the NCAA Columbia Super Regional … During Sunday’s deciding game three, Fico surrendered just one run on two infield hits and sat down 12 of the final 14 batters she faced to secure LSU’s spot in the Women’s College World Series … Dealt losses versus No. 1 national seed California (May 31) and No. 3 national seed Arizona State (June 2) during WCWS starts … Enters her senior season 35 strikeouts away from becoming the fifth pitcher in program history to reach 600 career Ks. 

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2011)
Named to the prestigious 2011 USA Softball Top 50 Preseason Player of the Year Watch List … Recorded 32 appearances, including 23 starts in the circle … Went 14-10 with a 2.40 ERA and two saves … Seven of Fico’s 10 losses came versus Top 25 opponents … Her 2.40 ERA and .217 opponent batting average was 12th in the SEC … Added 16 complete games highlighted by five shutouts … Racked up 183 strikeouts over 160.2 innings of work … Her 183 Ks were seventh-best in the SEC … 58 of her 183 strikeout were looking, fifth-highest in the SEC … Became ninth pitcher in program history to reach 30-win plateau … Notched 10 or more strikeouts en route to wins versus Louisiana Tech (Feb. 11) and Purdue (Feb. 12) on opening weekend … Tossed program’s third-ever perfect game against Southeastern Louisiana (Feb. 16) and retired seven of the 15 batters she faced via the strikeout … Fired 4.2 frames of two-hit relief and notched nine Ks against No. 3 Arizona (Feb. 25) … Touched up for one run on four hits and added seven strikeouts against six walks in complete game win over No. 12 Texas (March 6) … Tagged for a career-high six earned runs in losses versus No. 2 Florida (March 9), No. 1 Georgia (March 11), No. 24 Kentucky (March 18) and No. 6 Tennessee (April 16) … Won nine of her last 11 decisions (March 19-May 20) and registered a crisp 1.34 ERA during the run … Tossed three-hit shutout and piled up 11 strikeouts to secure series sweep at Arkansas (April 3) … Took home her fourth career Louisiana Pitcher of the Week award (April 5) … Limited No. 1 Alabama to one run on four hits and tacked on 11 strikeouts during 3-1 dramatic 10-inning victory (April 9) … Came away with a three-hitter and seven Ks during game two of Auburn doubleheader (April 20) … Mowed down 10 batters in an eight-hit shutout against South Carolina (May 7) during legendary coach Yvette Girouard‘s final game at Tiger Park … Turned in a career-best 18 strikeouts and was tough-luck loser in a 3-0 11-inning setback versus Syracuse (May 20) to open NCAA College Station Regional … The 18 Ks were the second-most in program history for a single-game, only behind Britni Sneed’s 19 strikeout against Oklahoma at the 2001 Women’s College World Series … Earned spot on NCAA College Station All-Regional Team. 

FRESHMAN SEASON (2010)
Compiled a 20-7 record with a SEC-leading 1.15 ERA over 41 appearances … Tossed 11 complete games in her 16 starts … Became first LSU pitcher to reach 20-win plateau since Dani Hofer (24) and Emily Turner (21) during the 2007 season … The 20 wins were tied for fourth in the SEC in addition to being third-most by a freshman in program history only behind Sarah KnifeChief’s 21 (1997) and Britni Sneed’s 23 (1999) victories … Picked up 10 victories over RPI Top 50 opponents … Secured a SEC-high five saves en route to a program single-season record … Tallied a staff-best 161 strikeouts, seventh in the SEC, over 158.2 innings of work and totaled four or more Ks in 20 of her 22 outings over 3.0 frames … 65 of her 165 strikeouts were looking, fifth-highest in the SEC … Limited opponents to 31 runs, tied for third-lowest in the SEC … Her .184 opponent batting average also ranked fourth in the SEC and ninth for a single-season … Made impressive debut in LSU’s season opener and allowed one run with six strikeouts during 1-0 complete game setback to No. 19 North Carolina (Feb. 12) … Notched her first career win with 2.2 frames of two-hit relief and three Ks against the Tar Heels (Feb. 13) … Reeled off 10 straight victories (Feb. 17-April 3) after opening weekend which opened with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings versus Louisiana-Monroe (Feb. 17) during LSU’s home opener … Fired 3.1 frames of no-hit relief with four Ks to pick up win against Virginia (Feb. 19) … Tallied back-to-back saves against Oklahoma State (Feb. 19 & 20) … Touched up for only a solo homer and mowed down 10 batters for first double-digit strikeout performance against Jacksonville State (Feb. 27) … Added first complete-game shutout against South Alabama (March 5) … Put together a run of 26 straight scoreless innings (March 6-31) sparked by a five-hitter and six-hitter to complete sweeps over South Carolina (March 14) and Auburn (March 21), respectively … Retired all 11 batters she faced in relief aided by six Ks against Nicholls State (March 23) … Bounced back to hold opposition to a pair of earned runs during a 47.0 inning stretch (April 10-May 9) after loss at No. 6 Alabama (April 7) … Racked up nine strikeouts in a dominant 7.2 inning relief effort in middle game of the Arkansas series (April 17) where she sat down last 12 hitters … Shouldered the load with two wins and a save at Kentucky (April 24-25) … Garnered back-to-back SEC Pitcher of the Week (April 19 & 26) awards to join Britni Sneed (March 11 & 18, 2002) as last LSU player to reach that feat … Tacked on six strikeouts in 4.2 frames during comeback victory against No. 8 Georgia (April 30) … Came away with a four-hitter in middle game at No. 18 Tennessee (May 8) … Piled up eight strikeouts and surrendered only three hits in 5.0 spotless innings to claim 20th win against McNeese State (May 21) during NCAA Baton Rouge Regional opener … Turned in a career-best 11 strikeouts and allowed only two hits during 1-0 tough-luck loss to No. 20 Texas A&M (May 22).

HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year letterwinner for Jacqui Sheftz at Masuk High School in Connecticut … Team won the 2007 and 2008 Class LL State Championship … Compiled an impressive 105-3 record with a 0.07 ERA during her high school career … Racked up 1,884 strikeouts over 775 innings … Fired 26 perfect games, a national high school record, along with 47 no-hitters and 95 shutouts … Struck out all 21 batters she faced during record breaking 21st perfect game and earned a spot on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays … Four-time All-District, All-Conference and All-State First-Team selection … Notched 2008 and 2009 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, Louisville Slugger/NFCA and EA Sports High School All-America First-Team accolades … Featured multiple times by Sports Illustrated and ESPN.com

PERSONAL
Daughter of Ralph and Lee Fico … Born on June 17, 1991 … Majoring in sports administration with a commerce concentration.

 

Full Bio
Career Stats
All Stats