SB: Mendoza, Rude named to NFCA All-Region teams
5/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By Brooke Ortale | UTAMavs.com
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington softball continued to add to its postseason accolades with Sandra Mendoza and Krista Rude garnering NFCA 2016 Division I Central Region honors on Thursday.
"This is a very exciting time for these two young ladies," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "Our players being recognized as some of the best players in our region speaks to the hard work put in by my staff recruiting and the players taking advantage of the opportunities they get really everyday. I hope we use these accolades to build confidence and take it into next year."
Becoming only the third and fourth Mavericks named to an NFCA All-Region team and first since Callie Collins in 2011, Mendoza was named NFCA All-Region second-team, while Rude is a member of the Third-Team All-Central Region third team.
Mendoza enjoyed a record-breaking sophomore campaign, becoming UTA's new single-season hits (76) and batting average (.461) leader. She ranks amongst the nation's best in many offensive categories, as she is 10th in Division I in batting average, 25th in on-base percentage (.528), 48th in triples per game (0.08) and 54th in doubles per game (0.31).
"I would like to thank the support system that I am blessed with," Mendoza said. "My teammates for competing with me, making me better, and being the best of friends, the coaching staff for always believing in me and pushing me to my max everyday and my family, especially my dad who is my biggest motivator. They make all this possible and I wouldn't have accomplished this honor without any of them."
Her 15 doubles place her in a tie for fifth on the Mavs' single-season doubles list, while her 19 extra-base hits putting her in a tie for sixth on UTA's single-season extra-base hits list. Her 39 RBI, while starting every game in the leadoff spot, are good for sixth on UTA's single-season RBI list.
As a freshman, Rude wasted no time making her presence known, recording hits in 17 of the first 19 games of her career, with a 13-game hit-streak during that time. The local product out of Arlington Martin High School finished the year second on the team and seventh in the Sun Belt in batting average, hitting .385. Her 15 stolen bases led the Mavs and were seventh in the SBC. Rude recorded 11 multi-hit games, highlighted by a 4-for-4 performance at Georgia State in April.
"I want to thank my coaches for giving me the opportunity to play for them and having the confidence in me," Rude said "I also want to thank my teammates for believing in me and always pushing me to get better."
With the awards, Mendoza and Rude are eligible for All-American honors to be announced on June 1.
2016 NFCA Division I All-Region
Central Region
First Team
Pitcher | Paige | Parker | University of Oklahoma |
Pitcher | Alex | Stewart | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Catcher | Lexie | Elkins | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
First Base | Shelby | Friudenberg | Baylor University |
Second Base | Caleigh | Clifton | University of Oklahoma |
Third Base | Sarah | Smith | Baylor University |
Shortstop | Kelsey | Arnold | University of Oklahoma |
Outfield | Erin | Miller | University of Oklahoma |
Outfield | Lindsey | Stephens | University of Texas at Austin |
Outfield | Aleah | Craighton | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Utility/Pitcher | Lexie | Rouse | Belmont University |
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher | Shay | Knighten | University of Oklahoma |
Second Team
Pitcher | Heather | Stearns | Baylor University |
Pitcher | Randi | Rupp | Texas State University |
Catcher | Lea | Wodach | University of Oklahoma |
First Base | Brittany | Lewis | Stephen F. Austin State University |
Second Base | Sandra | Mendoza | University of Texas at Arlington |
Third Base | Sydney | Romero | University of Oklahoma |
Shortstop | DJ | Sanders | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Outfield | Kierra | Miles | Texas Tech University |
Outfield | Linsey | Hays | Baylor University |
Outfield | Shellie | Landry | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Utility/Pitcher | Kaitlynn | Moody | Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. at Indianapolis |
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher | Kyla | Walker | Baylor University |
Third Team
Pitcher | Whitney | Gillespie | Jacksonville State University |
Pitcher | Caitlin | Sill | University of Tulsa |
Catcher | Catherine | Horner | University of Tulsa |
First Base | Kelli | Hanzel | University of Texas at Austin |
Second Base | Haley | Hayden | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Third Base | Celina | Felix | University of Texas at Austin |
Shortstop | Shelby | Estocado | University of Tulsa |
Outfield | Krista | Rude | University of Texas at Arlington |
Outfield | Ella | Denes | Jacksonville State University |
Outfield | Jessie | Scroggins | Baylor University |
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher | Fale | Aviu | University of Oklahoma |
