OFFICIAL RELEASE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A pair of University of South Alabama softball student-athletes were named All-South Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
 
Senior third baseman Emily Messer and sophomore pitcher Devin Brown each earned the distinction for the first time. The Jaguars have had a player named to one of the three teams each year since 2011. Both Messer and Brown now have a shot at All-American status, which will be announced on June 1.
 
Messer was picked 31^st overall by the Akron Racers in the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch Draft in April, finishing the 2016 campaign as USA's leader in batting average (.429), hits (76), runs (48), triples (5) and slugging percentage (.548). The Mobile, Ala., native set new Jaguar season records in batting average and hits in her swan song.
 
Brown set South Alabama season records in strikeouts (324) and shutouts (11), tossing double-digit strikeouts in 20 of her 38 appearances. The right-hander went 20-12 in the circle with a team-low 1.66 ERA and set new Jaguar single-season records in strikeouts, strikeouts per seven innings (10.97) and shutouts.
 
Both student-athletes were selected to the 2016 All-Sun Belt Conference first team for the first time this season.
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJagua,rSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).