Softball Puts Four On All-Region Team
5/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 16, 2001
Waco, Texas - For the first time in the program's history the Baylor softball team had four players named All-Midwest Region. Stacey Hundley, Naomi Fitzgerald, Joni Miller and Ryan Stukel were selection to the All-Midwest Region teams that were announced Wednesday.
Hundley and Fizgerald were named to the first team while Miller and Stukel earned second team mention. Each of the 31 schools in the Midwest Region could nominate up to six players for regional honors. Players selected to either the first or second team are eligible for All-America status, which will be voted on prior to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla., May 23-28.
Hundley, a sophomore from Mesa, Ariz., was a first time selection for all-region. The second baseman hit .326 for the season and led the Lady Bears in stolen bases with 17 and sacrifice hits with 24. Hundley also was the only Lady Bear to be named first-team All-Big 12.
Fitzgerald, a native of College Grove, Tenn., was named to the first team for the second straight season. The senior centerfielder, a four-year starter in the outfield, finished her career at Baylor as the program's leading hitter holding the team records for most hits in a season (76), most career hits (247) and career batting average (.341). She hit .353 this season and led the team in hits (66), doubles (9), triples (3) and on base percentage (.413). She also was named second-team All-Big 12 and first-team Academic All-Big 12.
Pitcher Joni Miller, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., posted a 26-14 record this season en route to earning second team honors. She hurled 275.1 innings, recorded 11 shutouts and five saves. The rightie struck out 148 batters while issuing only 42 walks. She was named second-team all-Big 12 and second-team Academic All-Big 12.
Stukel, a junior catcher, led the team in hitting this season with a mark of .356 to land second team kudos. She hit a team-high eight home runs and maintained a slugging percentage of .565. She also led the team in runs batted in with 36. The Cochise, Ariz., native also was named second-team All-Big 12 and first-team Academic All-Big 12 this season.
The Lady Bears had three players named all-region in 1996, one in 1997, two in 1999 and one in 2000.
Under the guidance of head coach Glenn Moore, in his first year at Baylor, Baylor finished the season with a mark of 38-22 which tied the program's record for most victories in a season and also set a new record for consecutive wins (11). In addition, the Lady Bears were ranked nationally for seven weeks this season, checking in as high as 19th.
