Four Lancers Named to 2016 NFCA Division III All-Region Softball Teams

2016 NFCA Division III All-Region Teams

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced 364 players chosen for the 2016 NFCA Division III All-Region softball teams this week. As in the past, the squad is comprised of three teams in each of the country's eight NCAA regions.

Four Worcester State University softball players were named to the New England Region Teams. Both Taylor Daniels (Norco, Calif.) and Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.) were named to the first team all-region. Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, RI) and Dakota Smith-Porter (Montague, Mass.) were named to the second and third teams, respectively.

The four Lancers led their team to a 26-20-1 season record and 12-2 MASCAC record, claiming both the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) regular season and tournament championships. The team also made their second-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Regional tournament.

Despres led the team with a .519 batting average, .556 on base percentage, and a .987 slugging percentage, racking up 33 runs, 81 hits, 20 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs, and 62 RBI. Despres currently holds the top spot in the NCAA Division III in home runs this season (17) in her first year with the Lancers. She also is in the top 10 of numerous other offensive categories (batting average, RBI, home runs per game) and broke Worcester State University records in her debut season. Daniels batted .450 on the season while logging 30 runs, 58 hits, 12 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 32 RBI. Both Despres and Daniels stand at the top of the MASCAC in batting average.

Worcester State's catcher, Salisbury, was not only a standout behind the plate but also registered a .399 batting average, .422 on base percentage, and a .513 slugging percentage. She tallied 47 runs, 63 hits, 14 doubles, two triples, and 16 RBI. Smith-Porter made a mark on her first season with the Blue and Gold, as she both pitched and played second base on the defensive end. Smith-Porter marked a .421 batting average, .504 on base percentage, and .626 slugging percentage. She logged 26 runs, 45 hits, 13 doubles, three home runs, and 30 RBI. Smith-Porter appeared in the circle 10 times and averaged 7.61 strikeouts per game.

Second-ranked Salisbury University leads a strong contingent of players from the NFCA Division III Top 25, placing the maximum six players on the squad in the Atlantic region, including three on the first team. Luther College and Texas Lutheran — who are tied at No. 5 in the rankings — also placed all six nominated players from their schools, as did eighth-ranked East Texas Baptist, No. 9 Emory and 18th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan.

Luther had four of its six players named to the first team in the Midwest region, tying No. 11 Messiah, 22nd-ranked Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Otterbein for the most players on the first team from any school.

Top-ranked Virginia Wesleyan, No. 3 Texas-Tyler, Messiah, 15th-ranked Rowan, No. 16 Ithaca, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 23rd-ranked Washington (Mo.), Cortland, Lake Forest, Otterbein and Tufts — the winner of the last three NCAA titles — all had five selections. Eleven other schools garnered four choices apiece.

All-Region players are nominated and selected by NFCA member coaches in each of the eight Division III regions. First team All-Region choices are eligible for selection to the NFCA All-America team, which will be announced the evening of May 25 online at NFCA.org and in person at the NCAA Division III Championship banquet in Salem, Va.

Portions of this Release Courtesy of NFCA