Ashland University softball players Emlyn Knerem (Brunswick, Ohio) and Alyssa Kelley (Mentor, Ohio) have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Midwest Region First Team. As first team selections, the two will be included on the NFCA All-America ballot.
The region team is selected by coaches in the Midwest Region. Coaches from around the nation will determine the All-America team.
Knerem, a senior pitcher, went 29-7 this season with a 1.60 ERA. Opposing hitters managed just a .208 batting average against her. Knerem had 289 strikeouts in 231.2 innings. She was named the 2012 GLIAC pitcher of the year and is a four-time first team all-conference pick. Last week Knerem was named to the Daktronics Midwest Region First Team and she is on the Daktronics All-America ballot. The AU pitcher is also on the national Academic All-America ballot.
Kelley, another senior, led the GLIAC in batting average (.430) this season. A four-year starter at third base, she had three homers and drove in 30 runs. She clubbed 16 doubles, had a .580 slugging percentage and a .471 on-base percentage. Kelley was also a first team all-conference choice.
Ashland finished the season 42-17 and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
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