.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
Three Cougars Named NFCA All-Region
5/17/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Official Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Three members of the University of Houston Softball team were named to the 2018 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I All-Region Teams for the Central Region, the organization announced Thursday.
Junior Savannah Heebner (Utility/Pitcher) was named to the First Team, and sophomores Arielle James (Second Base) and Sarah Queen (Third Base) were tabbed to the Third Team.
With three honorees, Houston tied USF for the most total selections amongst American Athletic Conference members.
NFCA member coaches from each respective region voted on the teams. All honorees become eligible for selection to the 2018 NFCA Division I All-American squads to be announced Wednesday, May 30, via NFCA.org.
Savannah Heebner
First Team (UTL/P)
• Named The American Co-Pitcher of the Year
• Named to The American First Team
• Posted a 25-9 record and 1.17 ERA in 30 games with 25 complete games and 12 shutouts
• Recorded 145 strikeouts to 28 walks over 220.2 innings pitched
• Tied for fourth in the nation in shutouts (12)
• Tied for 14th in the nation in wins (25)
• Tied for 17th in the nation in ERA (1.17)
• Second in The American in opponent batting average (.204)
• Hitting for herself as well as playing first base, posted a .316/.453/.393 slash
• Hit. 316, going 30-for-95 with two doubles, four triples, one home run, six RBI, 20 runs, 12 walks and one stolen base
• Tied for third in The American in triples (4)
• Nine multi-hit games
• Two multi-RBI games
• Second First-Team NFCA All-Region (UTL/P) selection
Arielle James
Third Team (2B)
• Named to The American Second Team
• Named to The American Championship All-Tournament Team
• Posted .363/.480/.484 slash
• Hit .363, going 65-for-179 with 12 doubles, three home runs, 27 RBI, 37 runs, 27 walks and two stolen bases
• Second in The American in hit by pitch (15)
• Tied for third in The American in doubles (12) and walks (27)
• Fourth in The American in hits (65)
• Fifth in The American in runs (37)
• Eighth in The American in batting average (.363)
• Twenty multi-hit games
• Six multi-RBI games
• Second NFCA All-Region selection
• Named First-Team NFCA All-Region (2B) in 2017
Sarah Queen
Third Team (3B)
• Named to The American First Team
• Posted .366/.599/.443 slash
• Hit .366, going 63-for-172 with 10 doubles, 10 home runs, 37 RBI, 35 runs, 24 walks and one stolen base
• Leads The American in slugging percentage (.599)
• Tied for third in The American in RBI (37) and home runs (10)
• Fifth in The American in hits (5)
• Seventh in The American in batting average (366)
• Sixteen multi-hit games
• Eleven multi-RBI games
• First NFCA All-Region honor
ON DECK
Houston opens NCAA postseason play with Baton Rouge Regional running Friday through Sunday at LSU's Tiger Park. The Cougars, tabbed the No. 3 seed, face No. 2 seed Louisiana at 3 p.m., Friday on ESPN3. For more, Click Here.
COUGAR SOFTBALL STADIUM UPGRADES
Thanks to a record year for the Diamond Club, Houston Softball announced the addition of an LED, Daktronics video board (completed) and indoor practice facility as major upgrades to Cougar Softball Stadium.
According to Daktronics, the new outfield video board is the sixth largest at an on-campus softball stadium in the country and the second largest in the state of Texas. The board, which sits just beyond the left-field wall, stands 29-feet-3.1-inches tall and measure 24-feet-4.0-inches wide with 576 square feet of space (24-feet by 24-feet) for live video, instant replays, statistics and scoring information, graphics and animations, and sponsor messages. The display features a 13HD pixel layout for crisp, clear imagery for a great view from every seat at the stadium.
The indoor facility, which will replace the current batting cage down the right-field line, will measure 70-feet by 80-feet. The 5,600-square-foot space will feature five batting cages, measuring 60-feet long by 15-feet wide each, with retractable nets for the space to be used in a variety of ways. The facility will have a synthetic turf floor and will be temperature controlled.
In total, the two capital projects represent $1.2 million in upgrades.
SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is once again proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2017-18 season. For just $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Volleyball, Soccer, Women's Basketball and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial saving as single-game tickets start at $5 for all four sports. To purchase a Shasta Pass, call 713-GO-COOGS or CLICK HERE.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
JOIN DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH. For more information, CLICK HERE.
