Six Wolverines Named to All-Great Lakes Region Teams
5/17/2018 2:20:00 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 four on the first team, the organization announced Thursday (May 17). Michigan was one of nine programs nationally with six or more representatives.
Freshman LHP Meghan Beaubien, junior second baseman Faith Canfield, sophomore third baseman Madison Uden and senior RHP/first baseman Tera Blanco were named to the all-region first team, while junior catcher Katie Alexander garnered second-team honors and senior rightfielder Aidan Falk was 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 now become eligible for selection to the 2018 NFCA Division I All-American squads. The 2018 NFCA Division I All-America teams will be announced at approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, via NFCA.org.
Beaubien, the 2018 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year who is also a top-10 finalist for both USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and NFCA Freshman of the Year, leads the nation with 32 wins -- most ever by a Wolverine pitcher in the regular season -- and ranks top 15 nationally in earned-run average (1.09, 12th), hits allowed per game (3.13, fourth) and shutouts (12, fourth). She has tossed three complete-game no-hitters this season and combined for a fourth.
Canfield, a 2017 NFCA All-American, leads the Wolverines with a career-best .406 batting average with 76 hits, 38 runs-batted in, .588 slugging percentage and .454 on-base percentage. She also boasts a sterling .994 fielding percentage with just one error over 155 touches at second base.
Uden garners her first all-region accolade amidst a breakout season in her first year in the everyday lineup. She boasts a .348 batting average -- a 93-point improvement from her freshman season -- with 15 extra-base hits, 35 RBI and a .511 slugging percentage and .425 on-base percentage. She owns a .965 fielding percentage, including a .975 percentage since moving to third base.
Blanco, a 2016 first-team All-American, earns all-region first-team honors for the third consecutive year -- and her second in a row as a pitcher/utility player. Blanco owns a .355 batting average and leads the Wolverines 10 home runs, 42 RBI and a .505 on-base percentage. Blanco has also earned nine wins from the circle with a 1.98 ERA and 86 strikeouts.
Alexander has also enjoyed a breakout season, boasting a career-best .316 batting average with five home runs and 23 RBI while managing one of the top pitching staffs in the nation. She has caught in a program-record six no-hitters this season and boasts a .995 fielding percentage with just 16 stolen bases against.
Falk earned All-Great Lakes Region honors for the second time in her career, adding to her 2016 accolade as a catcher. Falk is batting .307 with seven home runs and 32 RBI this season.
The Wolverines will open NCAA Regional play against Notre Dame at noon Friday (May 18) at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. It is Michigan's 24th straight -- and 26th overall -- appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
