Marietta College announces Three Pioneers named to Nfca All-Region softball team
From March 22, 2023 post.
MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College placed three players on the 2023 National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division III All-Region teams announced Monday (May 22).
First basemen Rachel Kazmirski (Colliers, W.Va./Brooke) was named to first team, pitcher Jillian Middleton (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) was placed on the second team, and third baseman Jess Brown (Brookville, Ohio/Brookville) earned a spot on the third team.
"Having Rachel, Jillian and Jess named to the All-Region team continues to highlight our accomplishments our team has been able to achieve this season," said Marietta Head Softball coach Jenn Castle.
Kazmirski had a spectacular 2023 season that saw her lead or be near the top of numerous offensive statistics in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Kazmirski started all 41 games for Marietta, posting a .452 batting average with 14 doubles, 12 home runs, and 53 RBI. She was named to the first team of the All-OAC team. Along with her work at first base, she also started 20 games in the circle for the Pioneers.
Middleton, who started in all of Marietta's 41 games, spent the year switching with Kazmirski in the defensive alignment, either pitching or at first base. She posted great offensive number as she hit 12 double and six home runs, while posting a .359 batting average and driving in 29 runs. She also led the Pioneers in pitching victories with 11 and struck out 63 batters in 94.2 innings pitched. Her 3.48 earned run average was best on the staff. She was also name to the All-OAC first team.
Brown also claimed All-OAC first team status. She batted .336 with 13 doubles, 6 home runs, and 36 run batted in. She hit a colossal opposite field home run in the NCAA Regional tournament that put the Pioneers in a position to win. The Pioneers would eventually lose to Penn State Berks, 5-4, to put an end to the season.
"Defensively, all three were asked to perform in a different role this year and stepped up in these roles for the team," said Coach Castle of her award winners. "Jess was primarily our DP last season and moved to third base and was solid all year, Rachel moved in from the outfield to first base when Jillian was not pitching, and would become our DP or play first while Rachel pitched. Offensively they came through in clutch situations and believed and relied on their teammates to find a way to get on base for them."
The team ended the season with a 24-17 on the season and a first ever opportunity to be a regional host site the for the NCAA Regional softball tournament.
"While these three are being recognized, it really was a full team effort for our success this season and I am very proud of every single player that committed to our goals and stayed focused since the fall," concluded Coach Castle.
NFCA All-Region and All-American athletes must be nominated by their NFCA-member head coach, are voted for by the coaches in their region or division, and ultimately selected by elected All-American committee members to receive this prestigious accolade.
Original post can be found here.