Thursday, May 5, 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. – Four of the conference’s best, led by three first team selections, have earned spots on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II All-West Region Team.

Concordia outfielder Meghan Luebbert and third baseman Taylor Copher, along with Central Washington first baseman Kailyn Campbell earned first team selections while Wildcats catcher Austin Wilkenson was elected to the second team.

Luebbert, the 2016 GNAC Player of the Year, led the GNAC with a ,447 batting average, 84 hits, 60 runs and 17 home runs and tied for the conference lead with 50 RBI. She led the Cavaliers to a tie for second place in the GNAC regular season standings and the No. 3 seed in the GNAC Championships in their first year as a conference member.

Copher, who was a First Team All-GNAC selection, finished sixth in the GNAC with a .414 batting average and closed out the year in the league’s top five with 75 hits, 40 runs and 49 RBI.

Campbell, a First Team All-GNAC selection and four-time all-conference pick, leads Central Washington and is second in the league with a .436 batting average and played a major role in the Wildcats’ run to the GNAC regular season and championship titles and a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. She is also second in the GNAC with 82 hits and 52 runs and also finished with 42 RBI.

Wilkenson, who was also a First Team All-GNAC pick and a four-time all-conference selection, entered the NCAA Tournament with a .388 batting average and shares the league lead with Lubbert with 50 RBI. She also finished among the league leaders with a .637 slugging percentage. Defensivelty, Wilkenson had thrown out 10 would-be base stealers.