Bates, Whitley Notch NFCA All-Region Accolades
May 14 | Softball
LOUISVILLE, KY. (May 14, 2015) -- Senior Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.) and junior Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.) were named to the 2015 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I All-Region squads, the organization announced Thursday. Bates received second team accolades, while Whitley picked up third team honors for the Great Lakes Region.
The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association's 10 regions with first, second and third teams selected for each region. The all-region teams were voted on by NFCA member coaches from each respective region, and all the honorees now become eligible for selection to one of three 2015 NFCA Division I All-American teams.
Bates led the squad with a .388 batting average, breaking the Rutgers' single-season records for home runs (22), RBIs (56) and walks (38). She became the all-time home run leader for RU, shattering the previous record of 34 with a total of 40 career homers. Bates ranks second on the career charts with 143 RBIs. The senior slugger concluded the regular season slate as the Big Ten leader in slugging percentage (.947) and home runs (22).
Whitley started all 49 games at third base and remained RU's most consistent hitter throughout the season, finishing second on the team with a batting average of .373. She paced the Scarlet Knights with 62 hits on the year, a total that is tied for fourth in single-season record books. Whitley registered a team-high 13 doubles, along with her first triple and home runs of her collegiate career. It marks the first regional honor for the Delaware native.
The duo helped guide Rutgers to an overall record of 29-20 in its inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference. The Scarlet Knights picked up 11 conference victories along the way and earned a No. 7 seed at the conference tournament.
A full list of All-Region squads can be found here.
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