LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of South Alabama's Kennedy Cronan picked up her first collegiate postseason honor Thursday as she was named third-team all-region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
2019 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Selections (Full List)
The NFCA's all-region awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association's 10 regions with first, second and third-team selections, and are voted on by NFCA member coaches from each respective region voted on the teams. All honorees are now eligible for selection to the 2019 NFCA Division I All-America teams that will be announced at approximately 5 p.m. EDT on Wed., May 29, via NFCA.org.
Cronan was one of 41 players from the South Region to be named to one of the three all-region teams. A total of 392 student-athletes from 163 programs were also selected to one of the all-region teams by the NFCA. With Cronan's selection, the Jaguars have now had a player named to one of the three teams each season since 2011. Cronan's selection also marks the 14th by a Jag to an all-region team since 2008.
The Jag freshman was one of two players to start all 49 games this season and the only player to have all of those starts at the same position (shortstop). Along with fellow freshman Victoria Ortiz, Cronan ranked as one of the top freshman in the league this season. The Daphne, Ala., native batted .324 in those outings recording 48 hits, 31 runs scored, nine doubles, 11 home runs 38 runs driven in and 90 total bases with a .608 slugging percentage.
Cronan's 11 home runs are tied with Louisiana's Sarah Hudek for fourth-most among the conference leaders, and are tied for second-most in a season at USA. The 11 home runs also tied former Jag Haley Fagan's (2013) freshman mark.
Her 38 RBI are the second-most by a Jag freshman with 21 of those coming in Sun Belt competition – most on the team. Cronan was a clutch hitter for South as she batted .333 in two-out situations with 14 base hits and 14 two-out RBI – both club highs.
Cronan's 12 multi-hit outings this season tied for third-most on the club, while her 10 multi-RBI games were tops on the team. Of her 12 multi-hit games, half came against Sun Belt competition.
The freshman was a second-team All-American selection by the organization following her final prep season with the Trojans.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
Join the Bullpen Club, the softball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. Members have access to purchase parking passes and receive Jaguar Softball gear. All donations to the Bullpen Club go directly to support the South Alabama softball program. For more information on how you can join visit: jaguarathleticfund.com/bullpenclub.
—USA—
