MSSU juniors Stewart, Corbett named to All-Region softball team

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Louisville, Ky. - Missouri Southern Softball juniors Myranda Stewart and Abi Corbett were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Central All-Region team announced today by the NFCA national office.

Stewart, from Owasso, Okla., earned first team All-Region honors after setting a new single season record for Southern with 55 RBIs during the 2017 season, and her 103 career RBIs is tied for 5th on the all time list at Southern. During the season Stewart hit .375 while playing in and starting 55 of the Lions' 57 games and was second on the team in hits with 66. Twelve of those hits were doubles, a team lead, and led the Lions in home runs with six. Stewart belted 13 career round trippers which puts her just outside of the top four on the career list. Stewart ranked fifth in the MIAA in total hits while leading the conference in RBIs and RBIs per game (1.00). Stewart finished the 2017 season ranked 30th in NCAA D-2 in total RBIs. 

Corbett, a second team All-Region selection, led all three NCAA divisions in hits with 96 entering last week and set not only a new Southern single season record but also rewrote the MIAA single season record. Corbett tied the MIAA single season record with a lead off double in the bottom of the first inning in an elimination game against Emporia State at the MIAA Post-Season Tournament at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City. She set the new MIAA record in the bottom of the second with an infield single third. Corbett also led the MIAA in batting average with a .444 average and ranked 29th in all of NCAA D-2 in that category. Abi was also second in the MIAA in on base percentage (.464), runs per game (0.98), and total bases (109). She finished the 2017 season ranked third in the MIAA in stolen bases per contest with 0.53. 

The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association's eight regions with first and second team selections. NFCA member coaches from each respective region voted on the teams, and all the honorees now become eligible for selection to the 2017 NFCA Division II All-American squads. The 2017 NFCA Division II All-American teams will be announced on Wednesday, May 24 at the NCAA Division II National Championship Banquet in Salem, Va.

First Team
Pos.	First Name	Last Name	School
Pitcher	Coley	Ries	Minnesota State University, Mankato
Pitcher	Emmie	Robertson	Pittsburg State University
Catcher	Tori	Collet	University of Central Oklahoma
First Base	Maddie	Dow	Southern Arkansas University
Second Base	Myranda	Stewart	Missouri Southern State University
Third Base	Katie	Klosterman	Missouri Western State University
Shortstop	Sarah	Kennedy	Augustana University
Outfield	Jess	Meidl	Minnesota State University, Mankato
Outfield	Peyton	Mills	Harding University
Outfield	Jordan	Grant	Minot State University
Designated Player	Jill	Roye	Southern Arkansas University
Utility-Pitcher	Jalissa	Gum	Arkansas Tech University
Utility-Non-Pitcher	Kala	Holder	Pittsburg State University
Second Team
Pos.	First Name	Last Name	School
Pitcher	Autumn	Humes	Harding University
Pitcher	Jayden	Chestnut	University of Central Oklahoma
Catcher	Shannon	Petersen	Augustana University
First Base	Amber	Kral	Minnesota State University, Mankato
Second Base	Ashley	Thell	Minnesota State University, Mankato
Third Base	Haley	Acrey	Northeastern State University
Shortstop	Morgan	Heard	University of Central Oklahoma
Outfield	Brooke	Goad	Southern Arkansas University
Outfield	Abi	Corbett	Missouri Southern State University
Outfield	Carrie	Abrams	University of Central Oklahoma
Designated Player	Erica	Harper	Washburn University
Utility-Pitcher	McKenna	Larsen	Winona State University
Utility-Non-Pitcher	Ali	Nowak	Winona State University