LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has announced 380 student-athletes from 154 programs have received 2021 NFCA Division I All-Region accolades.
The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association’s 10 regions with first, second and third-team selections. NFCA member head coaches from each respective region voted on the teams, and all student-athletes now become eligible for the 2021 NFCA Division I All-America squads.
Alabama (South), Arizona (West), Oklahoma (Central), Oklahoma State (Midwest), Oregon (Pacific) and UCLA (West) paced the way with all eight of their nominations receiving All-Region recognition. The Sooners and Bruins, one and two in the USA Today/NFCA DI Top 25 Coaches Poll, also led the charge with seven first-team honorees.
George Washington (Mid-Atlantic), James Madison (Northeast), Texas (Central) and Washington (Pacific) took home seven plaudits apiece. Arkansas (South), Missouri (Southeast), Notre Dame (Mid-Atlantic) and South Dakota State (Midwest) each had six representatives. From the above-mentioned teams, the Cowgirls, Fighting Irish and Huskies earned five first-team nods.
Miami University led the Mideast Region with five total all-region accolades with four on the first team. In the Great Lakes, Big Ten programs Michigan and Northwestern paced their group with five honors apiece, four and three first teamers, respectively.
The Southeastern Conference’s 48 selections led the way, followed closely by the Pac-12 with 43. The Big 12 (30), Atlantic Coast Conference (23) and Big Ten (24) rounded out the top five leagues. Just behind the first five was the Colonial Athletic Association (21) and Atlantic-10 (18).
Conference players and pitchers of the year from member institutions are added to the third team if they were not already voted to an All-Region squad. In some instances, limited regional nominations prevent a position from being filled.
The 2021 NFCA Division I All-America teams will be announced on Wednesday, June 2.
