The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Lowman, Orr Named To NFCA All-Region Teams
5/17/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 17, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –UAB seniors Mandy Lowman and Kayla Orr were named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division 1 Mideast All-Region team, announced by National Fastpitch Coaches Association on Thursday. Lowman was named to the first team and Orr to the second team.
Both Blazers earned first-team all-region honors in 2010 and are the only UAB repeat selections along with Martina Landrum (2009, 2010). This marks the fourth straight year UAB has had at least one representative on the all-regions team.
A total of 263 players representing 129 different institutions comprise this season’s regional teams, including first and second teams for each region. 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 2012 NFCA Division I All-American teams. The 2012 NFCA Division I All-America teams will be announced at 4 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 30, on NFCA.org.
Lowman ranks first on team with a .350 average and second on the squad in RBI (36) and home runs (11). The Huntsville Ala, native broke UAB’s career home run record and career RBI record this season and tallied a grand slam against Kentucky (3/18). Behind the plate, she leads C-USA in overall chances (445), putouts (391) and caught stealing by catchers (23). In addition, she has started all 57 games this season and has played in all 229 games of her career, making 227 starts and 202 consecutive starts.
Orr tops team with 57 hits and is second on the team with a .345 average. The Hartselle, Ala. product has struck out the least amount of times with 14 in 171 at bats. She owns a .973 fielding percentage with 139 putouts. She was named to the University of Kentucky All-Tournament team after batting .588 with six runs scored and named the tournament MVP, after hitting a leadoff home run in the 10th inning to lift UAB to a 6-5 victory over Kentucky and a spot in the championship game
Lowman, Orr and the Blazers are set to face Virginia Tech in the Knoxville Regional of the 2012 NCAA Softball Championship hosted by the University of Tennessee. The Blazers and Hokies square off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
NFCA Mideast Region
First Team
P, Sara Nevins, USF
P, Jessica Simpson, Miami (Ohio)
C, Mandy Lowman, UAB
1B, Amber Riddle, Morehead State University
2B, Raquel Howes, Eastern Kentucky Unviersity
3B, Alex McDavid, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
SS, Natalie Land, UCF
OF, Allie Cashion, Appalachian State University
OF, Erin Foster, Western Carolina University
OF, Tomeka Watson, Elon University
UT/P, Madeline Lynch-Crumrine, Bradley University
UT/DP, Jhavon Hamilton, Illinois State University
Second Team
P, Mackenzie Audas, UCF
P, Andi Williamson, Marshall
C, Lauren Gellerman, Ohio University
1B, Alissa BIrkhimer, University of Akron
2B, Evan Sallis, Southeast Missouri State University
3B, Brittney Lindley, Rutgers University
SS, Kourtney Salvarola, USF
OF, Mallory Duran-Sellers, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
OF, Casey Castile, Murray State University
OF, Taylor Thompson, Marshall University
UT/P, Megan Hyson, Georgetown University
UT/DP, Kayla Fortner, University of Evansville
UT/DP, Kayla Orr, UAB
