Six Gators Named to NFCA All-Region Teams
Thursday, May 15, 2014 | Softball
Six members of the University of Florida softball team were named to the NFCA All-Southeast Region teams, announced Thursday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The Gators' All-Region selections are: Lauren Haeger (First Team); Hannah Rogers, Taylor Schwarz, Kelsey Stewart, Stephanie Tofft (Second Team); and Kirsti Merritt (Third Team).
Haeger led the way for the Gators with her third consecutive First Team selection. The junior paces the Orange and Blue with 16 home runs and 55 RBI, and ranks fourth on the team in hitting at .313. Haeger has earned two Southeastern Conference Player of the Week honors and a Pitcher of the Week award.
A Senior CLASS Award finalist, Rogers garnered her fourth straight All-Region designation. The right-hander ranks among the SEC leaders in wins (fourth, 23), ERA (fourth, 1.83) and strikeouts (ninth, 139). In the field, Rogers has made just two errors in 55 chances. The Lake Wales, Fla., native is the NCAA active career leader in wins (120), and has a chance to be UF's first-ever four-time All-American. She earned Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive honors last week.
As the SEC's best defensive first baseman, Schwarz has made just two errors in 345 chances for a .994 fielding clip, including a clean slate in 147 chances during conference games. The second-year player has helped Florida turn 16 double plays on the year. At the plate, the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., native is batting .291 with seven home runs and 31 RBI, and ranks fourth on the team with 36 runs scored. This is Schwarz' first All-Region selection.
Stewart ranks fifth in the conference in hitting at .421, including a league-best .464 average in SEC play. The sophomore also is among the league leaders in hits (first, 82), triples (T-2nd, 4), stolen bases (third, 30), runs scored (fifth, 55), doubles (fifth, 13) and RBI (11th, 47). Defensively, the Wichita, Kan., native has helped turn 12 double plays and holds a .962 fielding percentage. This is Stewart's second straight All-Region accolade, and she also was named to the All-SEC First Team.
The National (NFCA) and SEC Player of the Week for the week ending April 20, Tofft is one of the SEC's best in RBI (T-6th, 54) and runs scored (15th, 46). The senior is one of four Gators with double-digit home runs (10), and ranks second on the team in RBI. The Lincoln, Calif., native posted a .953 fielding percentage and had a hand in four double plays. Tofft was a Second Team All-SEC honoree.
Merritt earned her first All-Region award with a .282 average and 10 home runs. The sophomore's 47 runs scored rank second on the team, as do her two triples (T-2nd) and 12 stolen bases. The Lake Panasoffkee, Fla., native has committed just one error in 55 chances, good for a .982 defensive clip.
2014 NFCA ALL-SOUTHEAST REGION TEAMS (View all of the NFCA All-Region teams)
| First Team |
| |
| Pos. | Name | School |
| P | Lacey Waldrop | Florida State University |
| P | Chelsea Wilkinson | University of Georgia |
| C | Annie Aldrete | University of Tennessee |
| 1B | Jenna Kelly | University of North Carolina |
| 2B | Alex Hugo | University of Georgia |
| 3B | Kasey Cooper | Auburn University |
| SS | Maddie O'Brien | Florida State University |
| OF | Branndi Melero | Auburn University |
| OF | Courtney Senas | Florida State University |
| OF | Shellie Robinson | University of South Carolina Upstate |
| UT/P | Lauren Haeger | University of Florida |
| DP/UT-Non-P | Tina Iosefa | University of Georgia |
| Second Team | ||
| Pos. | Name | School |
| P | Hannah Rogers | University of Florida |
| P | Tori Funucane | University of Missouri |
| P | Anna Miller | University of South Carolina Upstate |
| C | Megan Baltzell | Longwood University |
| 1B | Taylor Schwarz | University of Florida |
| 2B | Kelsey Stewart | University of Florida |
| 3B | Stephanie Tofft | University of Florida |
| SS | Madison Shipman | University of Tennessee |
| OF | Taylor Gadbois | University of Missouri |
| OF | Emily Crane | University of Missouri |
| OF | Melissa Davin | University of Tennessee |
| UT/P | Geri Ann Glasco | University of Georgia |
| UT/P | Kiana Quolas | Coastal Carolina University |
| DP/UT-Non-P | Ashlyn Masters | University of South Carolina |
| Third Team | ||
| Pos. | Name | School |
| P | Ellen Renfroe | University of Tennessee |
| P | Kelsey Nunley | University of Kentucky |
| C | Griffin Joiner | University of Kentucky |
| 1B | Kaylea Snaer | University of South Carolina |
| 2B | Emily Carosone | Auburn University |
| 3B | Nikki Sagermann | University of Kentucky |
| SS | Paige Wilson | University of Georgia |
| OF | Kirsti Merritt | University of Florida |
| OF | Samantha LaZear | University of Georgia |
| OF | Anna Swafford | University of Georgia |
| UT/P | Lauren Cumbess | University of Kentucky |
| DP/UT-Non-P | Angela Randazzo | University of Missouri |
Florida will host Florida A&M, UCF and Stetson in the NCAA Gainesville Regional Friday through Sunday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. For live updates, box scores, stats, recaps, and videos throughout the weekend, visit the Regional Central page on GatorZone.com, follow the Gators on Twitter and visit the team on Facebook.
-UF-
