Sooner Athletic Conference

Posted by Rich Tortorelli - Sat, Jun. 2, 2012 - [ Softball ] - Viewed 299 times

LeeAnn Lopez

OKLAHOMA CITY - Lily LaVelle, LeeAnn Lopez and Kylee Rounsaville took first-team NAIA all-American recognition from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as Oklahoma City University had a nation-high four all-American selections.

Tori Joyner made second team from the Stars' national runner-up softball squad. Joyner, LaVelle, Lopez and Rounsaville also picked up first-team NFCA all-NAIA Southwest Region honors.

The second-ranked Stars went 47-20, made the program's 13th national championship game appearance and captured the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament crown this season. OCU has eight softball national championships.

Joyner, a junior shortstop from Mustang, Okla., hit .397 with 15 doubles, a triple, 25 RBIs and 48 steals this season. Among the NAIA, she ranked second in steals, fifth in runs scored (73) and seventh with 93 hits.

LaVelle, a senior pitcher-designated player from Bridge Creek, Okla., went 43-5 this season with seven saves, a 0.92 ERA and a nation-leading 540 strikeouts. At the plate, LaVelle was equally as impressive, turning in a .435 clip on the year to go along with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs, both team highs.

In four years pitching for OCU, LaVelle amassed a 122-25 record, 1.19 earned run average, 100 complete games, 45 shutouts and 10 saves. She set NAIA records for single-season strikeouts, career strikeouts (1.411) and career appearances (169) as well as NAIA Championships marks in strikeouts (88), innings (65.1) and complete games (nine) in a tournament. She hit .384 with 310 hits, 53 doubles, 61 homers, 214 RBIs and 71 steals in her career.

Lopez, a junior first baseman from Grand Prairie, Texas, posted a .399 batting average, 87 hits, 20 doubles, 19 homers and 61 RBIs this year. Lopez had season highs with three homers and four RBIs in a game at Lubbock Christian on March 29. Lopez was named SAC and NAIA player of the week for March 26-April 1 following that performance.

Rounsaville, a sophomore catcher from Yukon, Okla., recorded a .384 average with 78 hits, 11 doubles, 12 homers and 50 RBIs. She homered twice against Bethany (Kan.) on March 4 and drove in four runs at Oklahoma Wesleyan on April 3.

NFCA NAIA All-America

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers: Alyssa Boutwell, William Carey (Miss.); Lily LaVelle, Oklahoma City.

Catcher: Kylee Rounsaville, Oklahoma City.

Infield: Alyssa Dronenburg, 1b, Cal State San Marcos; Hannah Gardner, 2b, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Erica Gunter, 3b, Central Baptist (Ark.); Amanda Fama, SS, Concordia (Calif.).

Outfield: Hannah Cook-Kelley, William Carey; Kiara Bonner, Central Baptist; Charslie Broome, Shorter (Ga.).

Designated Player: Shea Driggers, Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.).

Utility: Jackie Castaneda, Shorter.

At-Large: Brandi Richards, Auburn-Montgomery; LeeAnn Lopez, Oklahoma City; Katie Cotta, Concordia; Jordan Reynolds, Olivet Nazarene.

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers: Jessica Bock, Central Baptist; Aubrey Utley, Central Methodist (Kan.).

Catcher: Rachel Conrad, Corban (Ore.).

Infield: Katie Carson, 1b, Concordia; Christen Kirchner, 2b, Central Baptist; Lindsey Stephens, 3b, Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.); Tori Joyner, SS, Oklahoma City.

Outfield: Stephanie Nippert, Corban; Alex Miller, Cal State San Marcos; Kaitlin McGinley, Cal State San Marcos; Khyia Lewis, William Penn (Iowa).

At-Large: Brittany Balough, Lee (Tenn.); Ana Coscorrosa, Lee; Ashley Hunter, Saint Xavier (Ill.); Jenna Jorgenson, Concordia; Emily Bergstrom, Houston-Victoria.