Wolverine Trio Garners NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Accolades
5/18/2023 1:15:00 PM | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Michigan softball team placed three players on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Great Lakes Region teams, the organization announced Thursday (May 18). Graduate-student outfielder Lexie Blair was named to the all-region first team, while sophomore pitcher Lauren Derkowski and junior catcher Keke Tholl earned second- and third-team honors, respectively.
The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association's 10 regions with first, second and third-team selections. NFCA member head coaches from each respective region voted on the teams, and all student-athletes now become eligible for the 2023 NFCA Division I All-America squads. The 2023 NFCA Division I All-America teams will be announced on Wednesday, May 31.
Blair, now a four-time NFCA all-region selection who previously earned first-team nods in 2019 and 2021, registered a .353 batting average on the season with 28 runs, 27 RBI and 16 extra-base hits. Blair graduated with Michigan's program record for career doubles (72) and ranks fifth all-time in both career batting average (.370) and stolen bases (55). The 2021 Big Ten Player of the Year, Blair also is a four-time All-Big Ten first team honoree.
Derkowski, who also earned All-Big Ten second team accolades this season, posted an 18-14 record with a 2.12 earned-run average, five shutouts, 223 strikeouts and a .211 opponent batting average. She ranks 13th among the nation's leaders -- and second in the Big Ten -- in total strikeouts and averaged 7.7 strikeouts per seven innings. Derkowski also became the first pitcher in Michigan program history to record consecutive no-hitters when she achieved the feat on back-to-back days at Purdue.
Tholl, like Derkowski, earned all-region honors for the first time in her career after posting a breakout season at the plate in 2023. She posted career highs in all offensive categories, including a .289 batting average, eight doubles, 11 home runs and 48 RBI. Behind the plate, Tholl caught three no-hitters on the season and threw out seven base runners.
