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