Ladyjacks Place Four on All-Southland Conference Teams
5/7/2019 9:04:00 AM | Softball
First baseman Margarita Corona tabbed league’s hitter of the year, right-handed pitcher Kassidy Wilbur named freshman of the year
FRISCO, Texas – A quartet of SFA softball players have landed a spot on the 2019 All-Southland Conference teams announced by the league office Tuesday morning and highlighted by the Ladyjacks capturing both hitter of the year and freshman of the year superlatives. Senior first baseman Margarita Corona has been named Southland Hitter of the Year, while right-handed pitcher Kassidy Wilbur has been tabbed Southland Freshman of the Year and both sophomore second baseman Bryana Novegil and junior right-handed hurler Ashley Kriesel have been placed on the conference's third team.
The first SFA player to be named the league's hitter of the year since Kayla Gutowski in 2010, Corona has put up impressive numbers from the plate on season as the conference's top power hitter. An honorable mention All-Southland performer in 2018 after transferring to Texas' oldest town from Pima Community College, Corona was selected as Southland Hitter of the Week on April 29 after hitting .750 (9-for-12) in four victories between April 23-28, posting a slugging mark of 1.083, holding an on-base percentage of .800 and tallying six RBI. The Tucson, Arizona (Tucson High Magnet School), native ranks 76th in the country in total bases (107) and is 97th among all NCAA Division I softball players in on-base percentage (.476) and 87th in hits (61), while ranking among national leaders in slugging (.673), batting average (.384) and home runs per game (0.23).
In Southland action, Corona tied for the most home runs in the conference (7), was second in total bases (56), third in the league in slugging (.675) and fifth in hitting (.361), on-base percentage (.449), hits (30) and RBI (21). With 12 home runs in 2019, Corona is tied for the most dingers in a single season in program history and needs just one more long ball to set the record. In the field, she was 16th in putouts (103) in conference games and owned a .973 fielding percentage with two double plays turned.
Joining Monika Covington (2008) as SFA's only other Southland Freshman of the Year in program history, Wilbur has had quite the inaugural collegiate campaign. Named to the 2019 Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Freshman of the Year Top 25 watch list, Wilbur became the first Ladyjack in program history to gain the honor and first softball player from the Southland to earn a spot on the national award list in the last four years. The Bridge City, Texas (Bridge City HS), native ranks among the top pitchers in the nation in several statistical categories, including 10th in strikeouts (240), 39th in victories (19), 40th in strikeouts per seven innings (8.2), 55th in earned run average (1.81) and 66th in hits allowed per seven innings (5.19).
Claiming Southland Pitcher of the Week accolades three times (Feb. 12, March 18, March 25), Wilbur was selected as USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week on Feb. 12 following the opening week of her collegiate softball career. She went 4-0 and posted an unblemished 0.00 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 22 innings inside the circle, setting the program record for most strikeouts by a SFA pitcher making her debut by fanning 15 in her first collegiate start in the season opener. Wilbur needs only 53 more strikeouts to tie the program's single season strikeout record (293). In Southland play, she ranked second in the league in strikeouts (136), opponent batting average (.197), strikeouts looking (29) and innings pitched (119.1), while third in wins (11).
Also an All-Southland honorable mention performer in 2018, Novegil is among the nation's top 100 softball players in sacrifice hits per game (0.16), while second on the team in batting average (.321), hits (54) and total bases (64). She leads the Ladyjacks in runs scored (34) this season and completed Southland play tied for sixth in the league in runs scored (18), while tied for 10th in hits (28), 11th in hitting (.346), tied for seventh in sacrifice bunts (5) and tied for 13th in doubles (6). The Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls HS), native has made 91 putouts in the field throughout the spring and assisted on another 46, holding a .972 fielding percentage with three double plays turned.
After transferring to Nacogdoches from Galveston College, Kriesel has been lights out inside the circle for SFA in her first season donning the Purple and White. Tabbed Southland Pitcher of the Week on April 29 after picking up her eighth complete game win of 2019 and notching her second save during the week of April 23-28, Kriesel struck out 11 batters in 13 and 1/3 innings of work and allowed just three walks. The Houston, Texas (Mayde Creek HS), native currently ranks 50th in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (7.9), while 78th among all Division I pitchers in total strikeouts (148) and 85th in hits allowed per seven innings (5.48). Her 2.69 strikeout-to-walk ratio also ranks among the top 150 pitchers in the country. In conference action, Kriesel was fourth among all Southland pitchers in strikeouts (65) and strikeouts looking (15), while is tied for sixth in wins (6), eighth in opponent batting average (.225) and 14th in innings pitched (66.1).
The four all-conference selections mark the most for the Ladyjacks since 2010 when SFA placed six on the three All-Southland teams.
The Ladyjacks earned the No. 4 seed for this week's 2019 Southland Softball Tournament, held Tuesday-Friday, May 7-10 at Lady Demon Diamond in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and will take on either fifth-seeded Southeastern Louisiana or eighth-seeded Central Arkansas this afternoon at 4 p.m. after receiving an opening-round bye.
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete coverage of Ladyjack softball throughout the 2019 season.
2019 All-Southland Conference Softball Teams
Individual Awards
Player of the Year: Lindsey McLeod, Sam Houston State
Hitter of the Year: Margarita Corona, Stephen F. Austin
Pitcher of the Year: Lindsey McLeod, Sam Houston State
Freshman of the Year: Kassidy Wilbur, Stephen F. Austin
Newcomer of the Year: Jade Lewis, Lamar
Coach of the Year: Garrett Valis, Sam Houston State
2 Two-time all-conference selection
3 Three-time all-conference selection
4 Four-time all-conference selection
Honorable Mention – Catcher: Shaina Amir, Lamar. First Base: Rebecca Skains, Southeastern Louisiana. Second Base: Jaquelyn Ramon, Southeastern Louisiana. Third Base: Kyndal Kutac, Sam Houston State. Shortstop: Demi Janak, Houston Baptist; Lindsey Rizzo, Southeastern Louisiana. Outfield: Blair Clayton, Abilene Christian; Sheridan Fisher, Sam Houston State; Toni Perrin, McNeese. Pitcher: Saleen Flores, McNeese; Rio Sanchez, Central Arkansas.
NOTE: Tie in voting created need for additional pitcher on 2nd team, additional 2nd baseman on 3rd team.
-SFA-
The first SFA player to be named the league's hitter of the year since Kayla Gutowski in 2010, Corona has put up impressive numbers from the plate on season as the conference's top power hitter. An honorable mention All-Southland performer in 2018 after transferring to Texas' oldest town from Pima Community College, Corona was selected as Southland Hitter of the Week on April 29 after hitting .750 (9-for-12) in four victories between April 23-28, posting a slugging mark of 1.083, holding an on-base percentage of .800 and tallying six RBI. The Tucson, Arizona (Tucson High Magnet School), native ranks 76th in the country in total bases (107) and is 97th among all NCAA Division I softball players in on-base percentage (.476) and 87th in hits (61), while ranking among national leaders in slugging (.673), batting average (.384) and home runs per game (0.23).
In Southland action, Corona tied for the most home runs in the conference (7), was second in total bases (56), third in the league in slugging (.675) and fifth in hitting (.361), on-base percentage (.449), hits (30) and RBI (21). With 12 home runs in 2019, Corona is tied for the most dingers in a single season in program history and needs just one more long ball to set the record. In the field, she was 16th in putouts (103) in conference games and owned a .973 fielding percentage with two double plays turned.
Joining Monika Covington (2008) as SFA's only other Southland Freshman of the Year in program history, Wilbur has had quite the inaugural collegiate campaign. Named to the 2019 Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Freshman of the Year Top 25 watch list, Wilbur became the first Ladyjack in program history to gain the honor and first softball player from the Southland to earn a spot on the national award list in the last four years. The Bridge City, Texas (Bridge City HS), native ranks among the top pitchers in the nation in several statistical categories, including 10th in strikeouts (240), 39th in victories (19), 40th in strikeouts per seven innings (8.2), 55th in earned run average (1.81) and 66th in hits allowed per seven innings (5.19).
Claiming Southland Pitcher of the Week accolades three times (Feb. 12, March 18, March 25), Wilbur was selected as USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week on Feb. 12 following the opening week of her collegiate softball career. She went 4-0 and posted an unblemished 0.00 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 22 innings inside the circle, setting the program record for most strikeouts by a SFA pitcher making her debut by fanning 15 in her first collegiate start in the season opener. Wilbur needs only 53 more strikeouts to tie the program's single season strikeout record (293). In Southland play, she ranked second in the league in strikeouts (136), opponent batting average (.197), strikeouts looking (29) and innings pitched (119.1), while third in wins (11).
Also an All-Southland honorable mention performer in 2018, Novegil is among the nation's top 100 softball players in sacrifice hits per game (0.16), while second on the team in batting average (.321), hits (54) and total bases (64). She leads the Ladyjacks in runs scored (34) this season and completed Southland play tied for sixth in the league in runs scored (18), while tied for 10th in hits (28), 11th in hitting (.346), tied for seventh in sacrifice bunts (5) and tied for 13th in doubles (6). The Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls HS), native has made 91 putouts in the field throughout the spring and assisted on another 46, holding a .972 fielding percentage with three double plays turned.
After transferring to Nacogdoches from Galveston College, Kriesel has been lights out inside the circle for SFA in her first season donning the Purple and White. Tabbed Southland Pitcher of the Week on April 29 after picking up her eighth complete game win of 2019 and notching her second save during the week of April 23-28, Kriesel struck out 11 batters in 13 and 1/3 innings of work and allowed just three walks. The Houston, Texas (Mayde Creek HS), native currently ranks 50th in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (7.9), while 78th among all Division I pitchers in total strikeouts (148) and 85th in hits allowed per seven innings (5.48). Her 2.69 strikeout-to-walk ratio also ranks among the top 150 pitchers in the country. In conference action, Kriesel was fourth among all Southland pitchers in strikeouts (65) and strikeouts looking (15), while is tied for sixth in wins (6), eighth in opponent batting average (.225) and 14th in innings pitched (66.1).
The four all-conference selections mark the most for the Ladyjacks since 2010 when SFA placed six on the three All-Southland teams.
The Ladyjacks earned the No. 4 seed for this week's 2019 Southland Softball Tournament, held Tuesday-Friday, May 7-10 at Lady Demon Diamond in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and will take on either fifth-seeded Southeastern Louisiana or eighth-seeded Central Arkansas this afternoon at 4 p.m. after receiving an opening-round bye.
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete coverage of Ladyjack softball throughout the 2019 season.
2019 All-Southland Conference Softball Teams
Individual Awards
Player of the Year: Lindsey McLeod, Sam Houston State
Hitter of the Year: Margarita Corona, Stephen F. Austin
Pitcher of the Year: Lindsey McLeod, Sam Houston State
Freshman of the Year: Kassidy Wilbur, Stephen F. Austin
Newcomer of the Year: Jade Lewis, Lamar
Coach of the Year: Garrett Valis, Sam Houston State
| First Team | ||||
| Pos. | Name | University | Class | Hometown |
| 1B | Margarita Corona | Stephen F. Austin | Sr. | Tucson, Ariz. |
| 2B | Libby Morris2 | Central Arkansas | Sr. | Grove, Okla. |
| 3B | Mima Doucet | Southeastern Louisiana | Jr. | Lafayette, La. |
| SS | Tiffany Thompson2 | Sam Houston State | Jr. | Montgomery, Texas |
| C | Kali Clement2 | Nicholls | Sr. | Thibodaux, La. |
| UT | E.C. Delafield | Northwestern State | So. | Stonewall, La. |
| DP | Jade Lewis | Lamar | Jr. | Mont Belvieu, Texas |
| OF | Justyce McClain4 | McNeese | Sr. | Phoenix, Ariz. |
| OF | Megan McDonald | Sam Houston State | Jr. | Georgetown, Texas |
| OF | Madisen Blackford | Southeastern Louisiana | So. | Des Moines, Iowa |
| P | Lindsey McLeod2 | Sam Houston State | Sr. | Austin, Texas |
| P | Megan Landry3 | Nicholls | Sr. | Pierre Part, La. |
| Second Team | ||||
| 1B | Kaylyn Shepherd2 | Central Arkansas | Jr. | Mechanicsville, Va. |
| 2B | Cayla Jones2 | Northwestern State | So. | Missouri City, Texas |
| 3B | Cylla Hill | Central Arkansas | Jr. | Henryetta, Okla. |
| SS | Amanda Gianelloni4 | Nicholls | Sr. | Napoleonville, La. |
| C | Ella Manzer | Southeastern Louisiana | So. | Alexandria, La. |
| UT | Morgan Felts2 | Central Arkansas | Sr. | Conway, Ark. |
| DP | Taylar Fuselier | Sam Houston State | R-Jr. | Magnolia, Texas |
| OF | Kasey Frederick3 | Nicholls | Sr. | Bridge City, Texas |
| OF | Kayla Crutchmer | Central Arkansas | Jr. | Tulsa, Okla. |
| OF | Shannon Klaus | Lamar | Jr. | Cedar Creek, Texas |
| P | Kassidy Wilbur | Stephen F. Austin | Fr. | Bridge City, Texas |
| P | Alley McDonald | Southeastern Louisiana | Jr. | Whitehouse, Tenn. |
| P | Alexsandra Flores | McNeese | Jr. | Lufkin, Texas |
| Third Team | ||||
| 1B | Samantha Dares | Nicholls | Jr. | Metairie, La. |
| 2B | Bryana Novegil | Stephen F. Austin | So. | Houston, Texas |
| 2B | Brooke Malia | Sam Houston State | So. | Houston, Texas |
| 3B | Caitlin Garcia | Nicholls | So. | Spring, Texas |
| SS | Cori McCrary | McNeese | R-Jr. | McCarley, Miss. |
| C | Aubree Turbeville | McNeese | Sr. | Mesquite, Texas |
| UT | Sammi Thomas | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | Fr. | Buford, Ga. |
| DP | Samantha Bradley | Abilene Christian | So. | Azle, Texas |
| OF | Kaylee Lopez | McNeese | Fr. | Indian Bayou, La. |
| OF | Elise Vincent | Northwestern State | Jr. | Maurice, La. |
| OF | Linsey Tomlinson | Abilene Christian | Jr. | Huffman, Texas |
| P | Ashley Kriesel | Stephen F. Austin | Jr. | Houston, Texas |
2 Two-time all-conference selection
3 Three-time all-conference selection
4 Four-time all-conference selection
Honorable Mention – Catcher: Shaina Amir, Lamar. First Base: Rebecca Skains, Southeastern Louisiana. Second Base: Jaquelyn Ramon, Southeastern Louisiana. Third Base: Kyndal Kutac, Sam Houston State. Shortstop: Demi Janak, Houston Baptist; Lindsey Rizzo, Southeastern Louisiana. Outfield: Blair Clayton, Abilene Christian; Sheridan Fisher, Sam Houston State; Toni Perrin, McNeese. Pitcher: Saleen Flores, McNeese; Rio Sanchez, Central Arkansas.
NOTE: Tie in voting created need for additional pitcher on 2nd team, additional 2nd baseman on 3rd team.
-SFA-
Players Mentioned
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