Texas State Softball’s Player Named NFCA All-American
“She is absolutely deserving of this honor as she has proven time and time again that she is one of the best pitchers in the game. We would not have had our level of success over these past few years without her. I look forward to seeing her continue to grow next season.” Head Coach Ricci Woodard said.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Texas State’s Randi Rupp has been named a Second Team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), the association announced Wednesday.
The NFCA All-American honor is the first in Rupp’s career. She is a three-time NFCA All-Central Region honoree, earning first team recognition this season after picking up second team nods as a freshman in 2015 and sophomore in 2016.
“I am both excited for and proud of Randi for being named an All-American,” said head coach Ricci Woodard. “She is absolutely deserving of this honor as she has proven time and time again that she is one of the best pitchers in the game. We would not have had our level of success over these past few years without her. I look forward to seeing her continue to grow next season.”
The All-American honor is the fourth earned by a Bobcat in program history, with each coming under the direction of Woodard.
Rupp joins the ranks of TXST greats Jessica Chase (third team, 2001) and Kristen Zaleski (second team, 2003 and 2004) as Bobcats to earn the national recognition.
“Words cannot even describe how I felt when I received the news that I had been named an All-American,” said Rupp. “I now know that all the hard work I continue to put into this sport is paying off and I am truly blessed to be able to end my junior season with such an amazing award. Being an All-American has been a dream of mine since I have been here at Texas State and it has finally come true.”
“I could not have got this far without my selfless teammates and amazing coaches to push me to be both a better teammate and player. I have continued to buy into what coach [Cat] Osterman has been teaching and it has paid off for me.”
Rupp, who is also the Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year and a First Team All-Sun Belt selection, concluded the season with a 1.22 ERA, including a 0.95 ERA in conference games, while posting 325 strikeouts in her 264.2 innings in the circle.
In addition to owning the league’s top ERA and most strikeouts, Rupp led the conference in batters struck out looking (91) and wins (28). Her 325 strikeouts rank seventh in the NCAA, while her 28 wins rank eighth, 11 shutouts rank 10th and 1.22 ERA ranks 12th.
This season Rupp, who earned a league-best four Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week nods along with an NCFA Pitcher of the Week and ESPNW National Player of the Week honor, eclipsed the 700, 800, and 900 career strikeout milestones.
She became just the second Bobcat in program history with 900-plus strikeouts on April 30 as part of a career-high 15-strikeout, one-hit performance against Troy.
The Mont Belvieu, Texas, native’s season has also featured 10 double-digit strikeout performances and two separate 25.0-plus shutout innings streaks.
Moreover, she allowed two or fewer runs 28 times and struck out at least five in 36 of her 44 appearances.
2017 NFCA DIVISION I ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS
First Team
Pos. Player School
Pitcher Kelly Barnhill University of Florida
Pitcher Sarah Groenewegen University of Minnesota
Pitcher Danielle O’Toole University of Arizona
Catcher Kendyl Lindaman University of Minnesota
First Base Jessie Harper University of Arizona
Second Base Hannah Flippen University of Utah
Third Base Jessie Warren Florida State University
Shortstop DJ Sanders University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Outfield Bailey Landry Louisiana State University
Outfield Aleah Craighton University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Outfield Amanda Lorenz University of Florida
Utility/Pitcher Megan Good James Madison University
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher Sahvanna Jaquish Louisiana State University
At Large/Shortstop Meghan Gregg University of Tennessee
At Large/Pitcher Jessica Burroughs Florida State University
At Large/Pitcher Alexis Osorio University of Alabama
At Large Delanie Gourley University of Florida
At Large Nikki Udria University of Oregon
Second Team
Pitcher Megan Betsa University of Michigan
Pitcher Megan Kleist University of Oregon
Pitcher Randi Rupp Texas State University
Catcher Jenavee Peres San Diego State University
First Base Shay Knighten University of Oklahoma
Second Base Caleigh Clifton University of Oklahoma
Third Base Katiyana Mauga University of Arizona
Shortstop Morgan Zerkle Marshall University
Outfield Lea Foerster Michigan State University
Outfield Morgan Klaevemann Florida State University
Outfield Kelly Christner University of Michigan
Utility/Pitcher Sierra Hyland California Polytechnic State University
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher Kendra Lynch University of North Carolina
At Large/Utility/Pitcher Rachel Garica University of California, Los Angeles
At Large/Pitcher Paige Parker University of Oklahoma
At Large/Shortstop Mo Mercado University of Arizona
At Large/Third Base Lindsey Cargill Baylor University
At Large/Pitcher Emily Watson University of Tulsa
Third Team
Pitcher Allie Walljasper Louisiana State University
Pitcher Kaylee Carlson Auburn University
Pitcher McKenna Bull Brigham Young University
Pitcher Jordan Dixon Marshall University
Catcher Chloe Miller University of Wisconsin
First Base Alex Powers Florida State University
Second Base Faith Canfield University of Michigan
Third Base Riley Sartain Texas A&M University
Shortstop Lilli Piper Ohio State University
Outfield Cortni Emanuel University of Georgia
Outfield Nicole Evans University of Illinois
Outfield Danica Mercado University of Oregon
Utility/Pitcher Sydney O’Hara Syracuse University
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher Vanessa Shippy Oklahoma State University
At Large/Shortstop Emily Lochten Florida Atlantic University
At Large/First Base Kayli Kvistad University of Florida
At Large/Shortstop Katie Reed University of Kentucky
At Large/First Base Jessica Twaddle Murray State University
At Large/Shortstop Ali Aguilar University of Washington
