Another day, another All-America honor for Rinus
SALEM, Va. - A day after being selected to the D2CCA All-America team, Carson-Newman sophomore pitcher Lacie Rinus has earned a spot on the NFCA All-America third team as a utility/pitcher, the organization announced Thursday.
SALEM, Va. - A day after being selected to the D2CCA All-America team, Carson-Newman sophomore pitcher Lacie Rinus has earned a spot on the NFCA All-America third team as a utility/pitcher, the organization announced Thursday.
She joins second baseman Whitney Hickam as the only other two-year All-American since Carson-Newman moved to NCAA Division II. Hickam earned third team honors in 2007 before following it up in 2008 with a second team accolade.
Carson-Newman and SAC Hall of Famers Sammi Hatcher (1992-93) and Carol Zachary (1989-91) were multi-year All-Americans for the Eagles during the program's NAIA days. Zachary is the program's only three-time All-American.
Rinus earns Carson-Newman its 18th all-time All-American honoree.
Rinus adds the accolade to her SAC Player of the Year and SAC tournament MVP honors.
Rinus is just the second pitcher in league history since the SAC began presenting a distinct Pitcher of the Year award in 2004 to be named player of the year. She joins Carson-Newman warhorse Mary Shealy who brought home player of the year honors in 2011.
The sophomore is the first player in league history to win both a pitcher of the year and a player of the year honor in a career. She joins former Carson-Newman pitchers Carol Zachary, Heather Randolph and Marci Mitchell (all three SAC Hall of Famers), who all won the award before the awards split in 2004, as Eagle hurlers who have taken home the Player of the Year honor.
Rinus was formidable both at the plate and in the circle on the year. She finished the year second in the league in batting average at .435. She had 70 hits, 19 doubles, three triples and a pair of home runs. She got on base 52 percent of the time and slugged .656. She lead the conference in hits and doubles, was fourth in triples and fourth in the league with 99 total bases.
Her 19 doubles are top five in the country and were one away from the single-season school record in Carson-Newman history.
Rinus had 19 multi-hit efforts and seven multi-RBI days. She collected her first career four-hit day against Lenoir-Rhyne in the Eagles' home finale.
In the circle, Rinus led the league in starts (36), complete games (25), shutouts (11), innings pitched (232.2) and strikeouts (223). She had the fifth best batting average against in the league at .221 and the fifth best ERA in the conference at 2.12.
She matched her career high for strikeouts on a trio of occasions this year, striking out 12 against Queens, Wingate and Mars Hill.
First Team
Pos. First Name Last Name School
Pitcher Kylee Smith University of North Georgia
Pitcher Callie Nunes Concordia University Irvine
Pitcher Allison Lipovsky Grand Valley State University
Catcher Mariah Jameyson Texas A&M University-Commerce
First Base Kylee Moore West Texas A&M University
Second Base Kaitlyn Weis Northwest Missouri State University
Third Base Jessica Mohl Valdosta State University
Shortstop Clara Larson Colorado School of Mines
Outfield Brooke Goad Southern Arkansas University
Outfield Brooke Hodgson Colorado Mesa University
Outfield Ashley Hardin West Texas A&M University
Designated Player Kinsie Hebler Texas A&M University-Commerce
Utility-Pitcher Ashley Mickschl Augustana University
Utility-Non-Pitcher Stephanie Day Colorado Christian University
At-Large-Catcher Samantha Reilly Georgian Court University
At-Large-Pitcher Amber Johns University of North Georgia
At-Large-Pitcher Victoria Taylor Southern Arkansas University
SecondTeam
Pitcher Haley Gilham California State University, Chico
Pitcher Brandy Marlett Angelo State University
Pitcher Megan Garst University of North Alabama
Catcher Tori Zimmermann Minot State University
First Base Hannah Thieroff California Baptist University
Second Base Madison Casto West Virginia Wesleyan College
Third Base Brenna Martini Adelphi University
Shortstop Lani Van Zyl Winona State University
Outfield Christa Reisinger Truman State University
Outfield Kelsey Vining University of Montevallo
Outfield Jessica Meidl Minnesota State University, Mankato
Designated Player Brooke Gajewski McKendree University
Utility-Pitcher Brooke Larsen Academy of Art University
Utility-Non-Pitcher Suka Van Gurp West Texas A&M University
At-Large-Pitcher Makaleigh Dooley University of Tampa
At-Large-Outfield Katie Kish Hillsdale College
At-Large-Pitcher Amanda Houck West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Third Team
Pitcher Cambrie Hazel Dixie State University
Pitcher Megan Cook Merrimack College
Pitcher Jordyn Kleman Winona State University
Catcher Taegan Kirk Angelo State University
First Base Kyleigh Payne Purdue University Northwest
Second Base Emily Harris Young Harris College
Third Base Jamie Johnson University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Shortstop Jenna Witt Concord University
Shortstop Makray Odom Trevecca Nazarene University
Outfield Heather Tracy Montana State University Billings
Outfield Kara Brewer University of North Alabama
Outfield Abbey Fortin Long Island University Post
Designated Player Georgia Capell Tarleton State University
Utility-Pitcher Lacie Rinus Carson-Newman University
Utility-Non-Pitcher Sherriah Harrington University of California, San Diego
At-Large-First Base Taylor Moran Lee University
At-Large-Shortstop Becky Smith University of Minnesota Duluth
At-Large-First Base Maria Williamson Coker College
At-Large-First Base AnnMarie Torres Colorado Mesa University
Diamond Sports / NFCA Catcher of the Year: Mariah Jameyson, Texas A&M University-Commerce
New Balance / NFCA Golden Shoe: Darbi Duke, University of Montevallo
