Ball State University Athletics
Gilbert Named To NFCA All-Great Lakes Region First Team
May 16, 2013 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - For her part in helping guide the Ball State softball team to the 2013 Mid-American Conference Regular Season Title, junior left fielder Jennifer Gilbert (McKinney, Texas/McKinney) has been named to the 2013 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I All-Great Lakes Region First Team as announced today by the NFCA.
The all-region teams were chosen by NFCA member coaches from each region, and all the honorees will now be eligible for selection to one of three 2013 NFCA Division I All-American teams, which will be announced at 4 p.m. (CT) Wednesday, May 29.
"Jenny put together one of the most impressive seasons I have ever witnessed," said Ball State head coach Craig Nicholson. "While her numbers speak for themselves, it was the little things Jenny did day in and day out to continually improve over the course of the season which speak volumes about her as a player. I truly believe Jenny is deserving of not only this honor, but of also becoming the MAC's first all-American since 2001."
Gilbert is just the second player in program history to earn All-Region First Team honors twice in a career, joining pitching great Bernie Coffman who garnered NFCA All-Mideast Region First Team honors in both 1988 and 1989.
In helping guide the Cardinals to a 37-17 overall record, and their fourth MAC regular season crown in the past five season with an 18-3 league mark, Gilbert finished the 2013 campaign ranked in the top 22 nationally in nearly every offensive category.
Entering the week, Gilbert's 1.30 RBI-per-game average ranks fourth among all NCAA Division I players, while her 70 total RBI are also fourth. Her .936 slugging percentage is fifth nationally, while both her 0.43 home runs-per-game average and 23 total home runs are sixth. Gilbert also ranks 13th in batting average (.451), 19th in on base percentage (.534) and 22nd in runs-per-game average (1.04).
Gilbert's 70 RBI in 2013 were a Ball State and Mid-American Conference single season record and helped her become the league's career RBI leader at 185 as just a junior. Her 23 home runs were also a BSU single season record and helped her move to first in program history and second in MAC annals with 56 career home runs.
| Great Lakes Region | First Team | |
| Pos. | Name | School |
| P | Laura Winter | University of Notre Dame |
| P | Sara Moulton | University of Minnesota |
| C | Whitney Massey | University of Wisconsin |
| 1B | Alicja Wolny | University of Louisville |
| 2B | Katie Keller | University of Louisville |
| 3B | Kaitlyn Richardson | University of Minnesota |
| SS | Sierra Romero | University of Michigan |
| OF | Emilee Koerner | University of Notre Dame |
| OF | Cassidy Bell | Pennsylvania State University |
| OF | Jennifer Gilbert | Ball State University |
| UT/P | Kirsten Verdun | DePaul University |
| DP/UT-Non-P | Mary Connolly | DePaul University |
| Second Team | ||
| Pos. | Name | School |
| P | Sara Driesenga | University of Michigan |
| P | Cassandra Darrah | University of Wisconsin |
| P | Devin Miller | University of Illinois at Chicago |
| P | Nicole Sleith | Robert Morris University |
| C | Maggie Ruckenbrod | University of Louisville |
| 1B | Caitlin Blanchard | University of Michigan |
| 2B | Ashley Lane | University of Michigan |
| 3B | Lauren Moore | Loyola University |
| SS | Tyler Walker | University of Minnesota |
| OF | Mary Massei | University of Wisconsin |
| OF | Macy Merchant | Central Michigan University |
| OF | Kat Malcolm | Central Connecticut State University |
| UT/P | Amy Letourneau | Northwestern University |
| DP/UT-Non-P | Chrissy Montez | St. John's University |
