Six Wolverines Named to NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Teams
5/16/2019 2:17:00 PM | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Michigan softball team placed six players on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Great Lakes Region teams, including three on the first team, the organization announced Thursday (May 16). Michigan was one of 10 programs nationally with six or more representatives.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien, freshman outfielder Lexie Blair and senior second baseman Faith Canfield were named to the all-region first team, while freshman right-handed pitcher Alex Storako garnered second-team honors and senior first baseman Alex Sobczak and senior outfielder Natalie Peters were picked to the third team.
The awards honor softball student-athletes from the association's 10 regions with first, second and third teams selected for each region. NFCA member coaches from each respective region voted on the teams, and all the honorees are eligible for selection to the 2019 NFCA Division I All-American squads. The 2019 NFCA Division I All-America teams will be announced at approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, via NFCA.org.
Beaubien, a 2018 NFCA first team All-American, owns a 28-4 record -- ranking sixth in the nation in wins -- with a 2.00 earned-run average, seven complete-game shutouts and 203 strikeouts. She was named to the All-Big Ten first team and, just last weekend, was voted the Big Ten Tournament MVP after posting a 3-0 mark with a 1.34 ERA.
Blair, a unanimous All-Big Ten first team selection who also is a top-10 finalist for NFCA Freshman of the Year, leads the Wolverines with a.424 batting average and similarly owns team bests with 75 hits, 21 doubles and 53 runs batted in. She ranks 15th nationally in hits and third in doubles.
Canfield, a two-time NFCA All-American, owns a career-best .418 batting average with 74 hits, 55 RBI, .647 slugging percentage and .498 on-base percentage. She also boasts a sterling .993 fielding percentage with just three errors over 171 touches at second base.
Storako owns a 14-6 record in her rookie campaign with a 2.00 ERA and 187 strikeouts over 140.1 innings pitched. She has been particularly effective of late, boasting a 0.70 ERA with 43 strikeouts over her last 10 appearances -- a stretch of 30 innings pitched.
Peters and Sobczak, who both garnered All-Big Ten second team honors, are enjoying career years in their final season of college softball. Peters has a .358 batting average with 42 runs, 58 hits, 31 RBI and a .459 on-base percentage. Sobczak is hitting .336 with 32 runs, 43 hits, nine home runs, 41 RBI and a .470 on-base percentage.
The Wolverines are set to host their 21st NCAA Regional in program history this weekend at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. Michigan will open NCAA play against St. Francis (Pa.) at 4:30 p.m. on Friday (May 17). It is Michigan's 25th straight -- and 27th overall -- appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
