May 14, 2015

Full NFCA Release

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three Missouri State softball players earned spots on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Midwest Region teams, the organization announced on Thursday (May 14). Senior Chelsea Jones was tabbed for the second team while sophomore Erin Struemph and freshman Erika Velasquez Zimmer got third-team nods. Jones, Struemph and Velasquez Zimmer each received All-MVC first-team accolades last week after a record-setting 2015 campaign by the Bears. It is the first time since 2009 that the Bears were awarded an all-region selection by the NFCA and the three honorees marks the most since MSU had three all-region members in 1996.

Jones was a fantastic two-way player for the Bears. She finished her career in the top-5 all-time in games started, appearances and innings pitched. During her senior campaign, she was slotted into the clean-up role and flourished with a .338 batting average and team-high 12 doubles. From March 28 through April 15, Jones had a 12-game hitting streak during which she raised her average more than 100 points. Jones earned MVC All-Tournament team honors after hitting a double in each of the Bears' games. She also received MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels three times in 2015.

Struemph accounted for half of the Bears' 30 wins by going 15-12 on the year. She led the team with a 3.05 ERA and surpassed her strikeout total from her freshman season. Struemph fired nine complete games and racked up six saves, good for sixth in the nation. She also received MVC All-Tournament team honors after throwing a complete game in the Bears' semifinal victory over Illinois State.

Velasquez Zimmer led the Bears in hitting during her debut season at Missouri State and was named the MVC Newcomer of the Year. Her .361 was sixth among Valley hitters and her team-best 19 stolen bases was second in the MVC. Velasquez Zimmer had a 13-game hitting streak from March 31 to April 22 during which she hit .511. She earned MVC Newcomer of the Week accolades on April 13 after hitting .700 with a grand slam, her first career home run, against Loyola.

Missouri State won 30 games in 2015, the 11th time in program history that the Bears reached the 30-win plateau. The Bears set single season team records in home runs (48), walks (181), saves (10) and double plays turned (22).

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