2 WKU softball players chosen for all-region teams

Drake Kizer

Two WKU softball players have received All-Region Team honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, the organization announced Thursday.

Freshman outfielder/pitcher Kennedy Sullivan earned Second-Team status in the utility/pitcher slot, while sophomore catcher Kendall Smith collected Third-Team recognition behind the plate.

WKU garnered two NFCA all-region selections for the third time in program history, collecting its 10th and 11th NFCA honorees in Sullivan and Smith.

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โ€œWhat a great, well-deserving honor and recognition for both athletes,โ€ head coach Amy Tudor said in a press release. โ€œBoth were big contributors at the plate as well as in the circle and behind the plate. They are great to coach and an integral part of our success. I am very proud of them.โ€

Sullivan became the second-ever WKU softball rookie to earn all-region honors, also collecting an All-Freshman Team nod from Conference USA for her efforts this season.

The Georgetown, Kentucky, native was dominant in the circle, finishing with a 16-4 record across 124.2 innings pitched. She posted a 3.14 ERA while tossing 165 strikeouts and holding opposing batters to an average of .200. The freshman phenom also threw a no-hitter in her seventh start.

At the plate, Sullivan slashed .281/.297.452 while posting 38 hits, 11 doubles and four homers.

Smith was honored as a First-Team All-C-USA selection after slashing .321/.423/.650 and tallying a 1.073 OPS. The Bowling Green native collected seven two-hit games and three three-hit outings in addition to nine two-RBI, three three-RBI and two four-RBI showings.

Smith also delivered 19 RBIs and a .362 batting average in two-out situations.

The pair of standout underclassmen guided WKU to one of its best seasons ever, as the Hilltoppers posted a 37-13 record. Although WKUโ€™s year came to an end in its first Conference USA Tournament game, the squadโ€™s final winning percentage of .740 was still the best mark in program history.

In total, 392 student-athletes from 163 programs received 2019 NFCA all-region accolades. As all-region honorees, both Sullivan and Smith are now eligible for selection to the NFCA Division I All-American squads, which are set to be revealed on May 29.

Sports Editor Drake Kizer can be reached at 270-745-2653 and clinton.kizer287@topper.wku.edu. Follow Drake on Twitter at @drakekizer_.