Four Gators make All-Region team

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Four members of the University of Florida softball team earned NFCA All-Southeast Region recognition, announced Thursday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The Gators' All-Region selections are: Lauren Haeger<http://www.gatorzone.com/softball/bios.php?year=2015&player_id=57>, Kirsti Merritt<http://www.gatorzone.com/softball/bios.php?year=2015&player_id=64>, Aleshia Ocasio<http://www.gatorzone.com/softball/bios.php?year=2015&player_id=74> (First Team); and Kelsey Stewart<http://www.gatorzone.com/softball/bios.php?year=2015&player_id=61> (Second Team).



Haeger was named to the All-Southeast Region First Team for the fourth consecutive season. The SEC Pitcher of the Year becomes the third player in Gator history to receive four All-Region accolades (also: Aja Paculba, Hannah Rogers). Merritt garnered her second straight All-Region selection after she was named to the Third Team in 2014, while Stewart captured All-Region honors for the third straight year to go along with her SEC Player of the Year award. Ocasio adds All-Region recognition to her Freshman All-SEC selection.



Florida now has tallied 44 All-Southeast Region selections by 19 players during Head Coach Tim Walton<http://www.gatorzone.com/softball/staff/walton/>'s 10 seasons and 52 All-Region accolades in school history. The Gators' four All-Region selections are eligible for All-America honors, which will be announced on May 27.



Below is a glimpse at the notable achievements of each of Florida's All-Southeast Region honorees:



Lauren Haeger

NFCA All-Southeast Region First Team

*Holds a 24-1 record after beginning the season with 24 consecutive victories to mark the best start to a campaign in Gator history

*Earned the win in Game 1 of each of Florida's eight SEC series

*Is one of two pitchers in the country to with at least 20 wins and fewer than two losses

*Holds the SEC record for career home runs (67) and the Florida benchmark for career RBI (249)

*Is the first player in NCAA history to hit 60 or more home runs and earn 60 or more wins in a career

*Named SEC Pitcher of the Week three times (Weeks 2, 9 and 11)



Kirsti Merritt

NFCA All-Southeast Region First Team

*Has set career bests in hitting (.333), doubles (11), slugging percentage (.607) and on-base percentage (.520)

*Ranks eighth in the SEC in on-base percentage and eighth nationally in sacrifice flies (six)



Aleshia Ocasio

NFCA All-Southeast Region First Team

*Is the third Gator freshman since 2012 to earn All-Region honors (also: Haeger, Stewart)

*Ranks among the SEC's best in ERA (ninth, 2.11), opposing batting average (seventh, .206), strikeouts (11th, 135), wins (12th, 16), saves (T-9th, two)

*Owns seven wins over ranked opponents



Kelsey Stewart

NFCA All-Southeast Region Second Team

*Ranks among SEC leaders in hitting (fourth, .454), hits (first, 88), runs scored (third, 66), doubles (third, 16), triples (first, nine), stolen bases (T-8th, 22), and on-base percentage (11th, .502)

*In league play, led the SEC with a .536 average that was 78 points ahead of the No. 2 hitter

*Had 45 hits against conference opponents - 12 more than any other player

*Has turned 12 double plays, which is tied for eighth in the conference

*Has committed just five errors in 157 chances

The Southeastern Conference champion Gators will open NCAA Tournament play at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on Friday against Florida A&M. The contest will be streamed live online via ESPN3<http://es.pn/1H0UHmm>, while Florida Sports Talk<http://mgmt.firststreaming.com/listen/player.php?callsign=WMOP_AM> will have the radio broadcast. Complete information about the 2015 NCAA Gainesville Regional can be found on the Regional Central page<http://www.gatorzone.com/softball/tour/ncaa/2015/> on GatorZone.com.

NFCA All-Southeast Region Teams


First
Pitcher

Lacey

Waldrop

Florida State University

Pitcher

Aleshia

Ocasio

University of Florida

Catcher

Annie

Aldrete

University of Tennessee

First Base

Jade

Rhodes

Auburn University

Second Base

Emily

Carosone

Auburn University

Third Base

Kasey

Cooper

Auburn University

Shortstop

Kristen

Brown

University of North Carolina

Outfield

Alaynie

Page

University of South Carolina

Outfield

Tiffany

Howard

Auburn University

Outfield

Kirsti

Merritt

University of Florida

Utility/Pitcher

Lauren

Haeger

University of Florida

DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher

Courtni

Emanuel

University of Georgia


Second
Pitcher

Chelsea

Wilkinson

University of Georgia

Pitcher

Lexi

Shubert

University of South Carolina Upstate

Catcher

Megan

Baltzell

Longwood University

First Base

Kelsea

Roth

University of Missouri

Second  Base

Kelsey

Stewart

University of Florida

Third Base

Jessica

Warren

Florida State University

Shortstop

Renada

Davis

North Carolina State University

Outfield

Emily

Crane

University of Missouri

Outfield

Shellie

Robinson

University of South Carolina Upstate

Outfield

Branndi

Melero

Auburn University

Utility/Pitcher

Rainey

Gaffin

University of Tennessee

DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher

Tina

Iosefa

University of Georgia


Third
Pitcher

Emily

Weiman

North Carolina State University

Pitcher

Kelsey

Nunley

University of Kentucky

Pitcher

Elizabeth

McCarthy

Longwood University

Pitcher

Sabrina

Angualano

Bethune Cookman University

Catcher

Griffin

Joiner

University of Kentucky

First Base

Jenna

Kelly

University of North Carolina

Second Base

Alex

Hugo

University of Georgia

Third  Base

Anna

Swafford

University of Georgia

Shortstop

Paige

Wilson

University of Georgia

Outfield

Sydni

Emanuel

University of Georgia

Outfield

Morgan

Estell

Auburn University

Outfield

Morgan

Klaevemann

Florida State University

Utility/Pitcher

Maryssa

Becker

University of Louisville

DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher

Lauren

Walker

University of North Carolina

 

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.