Robinson Named NFCA All-Region
5/16/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Tuscaloosa, Ala. – The day before the USC Upstate softball team makes its first-ever NCAA Regional appearance, Spartan Shellie Robinson was named to the NFCA All-Region team in the Southeast Region.
Robinson, a sophomore from DeLand, Fla., has now earned two All-Region honors from the NFCA. She earned second team honors this season after earning first team honors as a freshman in 2012. She is one of four outfielders listed on the second team all-region team, joining Florida's Kelsey Horton, Florida State's Morgan Bullock and Norfolk State's Haley Ward.
"I couldn't be more excited for Shellie as she continues to get the recognition she deserves," said Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins. "She works so hard at being as good as she possibly can be. She is a team player and has a very strong competitive drive. I am proud of her and her accomplishments as she continues to be a leader on our team on and off the field."
Coming off a tremendous freshman season when she was the A-Sun Freshman of the Year, A-Sun First Team All-Conference and a First Team NFCA All-Region pick, Robinson turned in another strong season for the Spartans in 2013. She enters the Tuscaloosa Regional hitting .347, tying for the team lead with 12 home runs and leading the Spartans with 46 RBIs, 48 runs, a .733 slugging percentage and 15 stolen bases. She ranks in the Top 5 in the A-Sun in slugging percentage, doubles, home runs and RBIs and in the Top 10 in batting average and on-base percentage. Robinson led the Spartans hitting .375 in A-Sun-only games.
Prior to earning NFCA Second Team All-Region honors, Robinson received high praise from the A-Sun. She earned A-Sun First Team All-Conference honors for the second straight year. She helped lead Upstate to the A-Sun Tournament title and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA, earning All-Tournament honors. She was also named to USA Softball's Top 50 Watch List for national player of the year honors entering the 2013 season.
Robinson's selection to the NFCA All-Region team in 2013 marks the fifth time a Spartan has received all-region honors since joining Division I in 2007-08. Morgan Childers was a two-time second team all-region pick in 2008 and 2011. Robinson and current Spartan and A-Sun Tournament MVP Cheyenne Griffin were both first team all-region selections last year.
Robinson is one of seven A-Sun softball players to earn All-Region honors this season.
Upstate opens play in the Tuscaloosa Regional of the NCAA Tournament Friday at 3:30 p.m. Central, 4:30 p.m. Eastern against Western Kentucky. The winner of that game plays the winner of Friday's game between defending national champion Alabama and Jacksonville State on Saturday. The two losing teams in the first round will play Saturday in the regional's first elimination game.
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