Gilbert Named To NFCA All-America Second Team

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State softball senior left fielder Jennifer Gilbert (McKinney, Texas/McKinney) wrapped up her collegiate career by earning one more honor Wednesday afternoon, as she was named to the 2014 National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division I All-America Second Team.

Gilbert, the first All-American in program history after being named to the third team last season, became just the fourth two-time All-America selection in Mid-American Conference history with this season's honor. One of only nine MAC players to ever be named to either the first or second team, Gilbert is the conference's only All-American since the 2001 season.

“It's very exciting to see Jenny once again recognized as one of the top competitors in softball,” Ball State head coach Tyra Perry said. “She exhibits the characteristics of an All-American in her daily life. I am proud of the example she has set for Ball State softball and for the Mid-American Conference.”

The three-time reigning MAC Player of the Year, Gilbert finished her collegiate career as the league's career record holder in runs batted in (246), runs scored (215), home runs (75) and doubles (62). In 2014, she was the NCAA Division I active career leader in all four of those categories.

Gilbert ranks eighth in NCAA Division I history with her 75 career home runs, and she became the NCAA career home run leader among Canadian-born players with her 66th career blast versus North Dakota State (March 22). In addition, her 246 career RBI are tied for ninth in NCAA Division I history, while her .810 career slugging percentage is 10th.

Gilbert finished the 2014 season as one of only two NCAA Division I players ranked in the top 20 nationally in slugging percentage (.890 / fifth), home runs per game (0.37 / seventh), RBI per game (1.17 / 14th) and runs per game (1.04 / 20th). Her .387 batting average ranked third in the MAC and 116th nationally, while her .489 on base percentage led the conference and was 83rd nationally.

Over the course of the 2014 season, Gilbert helped account for a team-high 13 game-winning runs, including 10 RBI and six runs scored (three of which were on her own home runs and factored out). Six of her league-leading 19 home runs provided game-winning runs. She strung together a career-long and Ball State season-best 17-game hitting streak and reached base safely in 19 consecutive games during the year. Gilbert led the squad with 21 multiple RBI games, while posting multiple hits in 15 games.

The 10th overall pick, and first outfielder selected, in the 2014 National Pro Fastpitch Draft by the Akron Racers, Gilbert singed a professional contract to play for the Racers last week (May 19). The 2014 NPF season kicks off May 29 with Gilbert and the Racers hosting the Chicago Bandits at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio.

For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB and @TyraPerry13/ Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball

*2014 NFCA Division I All-American Teams*

*First Team*
Pos.	Player	School
P	Lacey Waldrop	Florida State University
P	Cheridan Hawkins	University of Oregon
P	Jaclyn Traina	University of Alabama
C	Taylor Edwards	University of Nebraska
1B	Hallie Wilson	University of Arizona
2B	Alex Hugo	University of Georgia
3B	Courtney Ceo	University of Oregon
SS	Sierra Romero	University of Michigan
OF	Haylie McCleney	University of Alabama
OF	Branndi Melero	Auburn University
OF	Victoria Hayward	University of Washington
UT/P	Ally Carda	University of California, Los Angeles
DP or UT/Non-Pitcher	Stephany LaRosa	University of California, Los Angeles
At-Large/SS	Maddie O'Brien	Florida State University
At-Large/SS	Madison Shipman	University of Tennessee
At-Large/P	Whitney Canion	Baylor University
At-Large/3B	Shelby Pendley	University of Oklahoma
At-Large/2B	Kelsey Stewart	University of Florida

*Second Team*
Pos.	Player	School
P	Sara Moulton	University of Minnesota
P	Dallas Escobedo	Arizona State University
P	Christina Hamilton	University of Louisiana at Lafayette
C	Amber Freeman	Arizona State University
1B	Micaela Arizmendi	University of Notre Dame
2B	Hannah Flippen	University of Utah
3B	Kaitlyn Richardson	University of Minnesota
SS	Jill Barrett	University of Tulsa
OF	Janie Takeda	University of Oregon
OF	Jennifer Gilbert	Ball State University
OF	Karley Wester	University of Notre Dame
UT/P	Jailyn Ford	James Madison University
DP or UT/Non-Pitcher	Sahvanna Jaquish	Louisiana State University
At-Large/UT/P	Kirsten Verdun	DePaul University
At-Large/3B	Kasey Cooper	Auburn University
At-Large/C	Annie Aldrete	University of Tennessee
At-Large/P	Haylie Wagner	University of Michigan
At-Large/P	Chelsea Wilkinson	University of Georgia

*Third Team*
Pos.	Player	School
P	Hannah Campbell	University of South Alabama
P	Aimee Creger	University of Tulsa
P	Sara Nevins	University of South Florida
C	Lexie Elkins	University of Louisiana at Lafayette
1B	Hooch Fagaly	University of Washington
2B	Emily Carosone	Auburn University
3B	Missy Taukeiaho	California State University, Fullerton
SS	Kellie Fox	University of Arizona
OF	Emilee Koerner	University of Notre Dame
OF	Taylor Gadbois	University of Missouri
OF	Lindsey Stephens	University of Texas
UT/P	Tatum Edwards	University of Nebraska
DP or UT/Non-Pitcher	Kylee Lahners	University of Washington
At-Large/P	Hannah Rogers	University of Florida
At-Large/1B	Lauren Chamberlain	University of Oklahoma
At-Large/OF	Shellie Robinson	University of South Carolina Upstate
At-Large/OF	Cassie Tysarczyk	Texas A&M University
At-Large/UT/P	Meredith Owen	Stetson University

Players Mentioned

Jenny Gilbert

Ball State University Athletics