Panthers named to All-South Region First Team, set softball school-record

Courtesy of Samuel Lewis

For the first time in FIU softball history, four Panthers received National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-South Region honors when the NFCA released the 2010 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-Region teams May 20.

Freshman Jessy Alfonso and sophomore Ashley McClain were named to the NFCA All-South Region First Team. The pair of First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference honorees earned their first career All-Region honors at utility/DP and outfield, respectively. McClain was also named SBC Player of the Year.

The pair of accolades marks the first time in school history that FIU has placed two student-athletes on the first team. FIU now owns four all-time All- Region First Team selections. Previously, Jennifer Owens earned All-Southeast Region recognition in 2003 and Tabitha Embry was named to the All-Southeast Region First Team in 2006.

Earning NFCA All-South Region Second-Team honors in 2010 are senior pitcher Kasey Barrett and freshman second baseman Brie Rojas. The All-Region accolades mark the first of each of their careers. The duo also received First Team All-SBC recognition this season. Barrett earned SBC Pitcher of the Year honors and Rojas was named SBC Freshman of the Year.

The All-Region teams honor student-athletes from the 10 NFCA regions, and a total of 256 players from 116 different institutions comprise this season’s regional teams. 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.

The NFCA Division I All-American teams will be announced at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 2.