Thursday, May 20, 2010

MACON, Ga. – Lispcomb's Whitney Kiihnl earned Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I Second-Team South Region accolades as announced Thursday. A total of 256 players from 116 different institutions made up this season’s regional teams, including first and second teams for each region.

It marks the first time in Kiihnl’s collegiate career that she earned first-team accolades. The Batesville, Miss. native earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA High School Second-Team South Region honors while playing for South Panola High School during her junior and senior years.

This season, she earned both A-Sun Player and Pitcher of the Year honors. Since the A-Sun began awarding both a Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in 2004, no player prior to Kiihnl had captured both honors. A unanimous First-Team All-Conference choice, the earned 2009 Academic All-Conference honors, in addition to A-Sun Player of the Week accolades on five occasions this season.

The sophomore has recorded 31 wins overall and posted a perfect 11-0 mark in A-Sun play. Kiihnl also owns five no-hitters and one perfect game this season. She entered the week leading the nation in fewest hits allowed per seven innings (2.44) and in ERA (0.73), while placing eighth in the nation in shutouts (12), 13th in strikeouts per seven innings (10.5) and 14th in the nation in strikeouts (319). In the A-Sun, the biology major ranks first overall in ERA and opposing batting average (.106), second in wins and third in strikeouts. At the plate, she ranks third in hitting (.363).

The all-region teams were chosen by NFCA member coaches from each region and all the honorees are eligible for selection to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America first, second or third teams. The NFCA Division I All-American teams will be announced at 4 p.m. CT on Wednesday, June 2.

Kiihnl and the rest of the Lipscomb squad will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to face UAB on Friday at 3:30 p.m. CT in the NCAA Regionals.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.