May 18, 2005
Four University of Iowa softball student-athletes have earned Mideast All-Region honors it was announced today. Senior Lisa Birocci, junior Kylie Murray and freshman Emily Nichols earned first team laurels, while Stacy May was recognized on the second team.
Birocci was named to the all-Region first team for the third consecutive year. The native of Des Moines boasts a 28-7 record and a 1.17 ERA. She has struck out 263 batters this season. The senior was named to the second all-Big Ten team and all-Big Ten Tournament team last week.
Murray was selected first team all-Region after leading the Hawkeyes in batting (.353) and ranking second in RBI (41) and hits (54). She boasts a .462 average with runners in scoring position. The native of West Des Moines is also a second team all-Big Ten selection. This marks the second straight year Murray earned all-Region honors; she was a second team pick in 2004.
Nichols had a tremendous inaugural season. The native of Portland, OR, broke the Iowa single season home run record (16). She was named the Buzz Classic MVP after blasting seven home runs in eight games (Mar. 4-6). Nichols leads the team in slugging percentage (.677), on base percentage (.419), home runs (16), RBI (48) and walks (28).
May, who is one of only three Hawkeyes to start all 60 games, leads the team in runs scored (45), hits (66), doubles (15), batting average (.353), at-bats (187) and total bases (110). The native of Reno, NV, was also named to the all-Big Ten Tournament team last week after batting .375, walking twice and scoring three runs. This is the second time in May’s career that she has been recognized on the second all-Region team.
Iowa (48-12) will play Nebraska (35-21) at 4 p.m. Friday in the first round of the NCAA Regionals in Lincoln, NE. The game can be heard live on AM-800 KXIC in Iowa City.