Five MCCAA Softball Standouts Named to Various All-American Teams
The MCCAA was well represented recently when the NJCAA National Office announced the 2023 Softball All-American Teams. Four members from MCCAA institutions were named NJCAA Division II All-Americans and one was tabbed a NJCAA Division III All-American.
At the Division II level, Jackson College's Emily Breslin earned Second Team All-American honors, while Grand Rapids CC's Izabella Regner, Oakland CC's Sammy Michael and Macomb CC's Elizabeth Townsend all were tabbed Third Team All-Americans. Alyssa Beechler of Delta College was selected as a Second Team All-American in Division III.
Breslin, a sophomore pitcher/infielder, helped lead Jackson to the NJCAA Division II World Series after tossing 162 innings and striking out 199 batters this season. The sophomore pitcher earned 18 wins in the circle in 25 starts and went on to pitch 21 complete games in 30 total appearances. The impressive totals, combined with only allowing 32 earned runs across 162 innings, led to Breslin posting a 1.38 ERA on the season. Breslin also hit .347 with five home runs and 22 RBIs at the plate in 101 at-bats.
Regner, another standout two-way player, was among the national leaders in most pitching statistics throughout the 2023 season and helped lead the Raiders to a Northern Conference Championship. The first-year pitcher/infielder fanned a staggering 292 batters in 174.2 innings of work for a 11.70 K/7 ratio. The impressive strikeout numbers led Regner to a 20-win season in 26 starts (29 appearances) and a 1.36 ERA. At the plate, Regner connected on five home runs and 16 doubles for a .690 slugging percentage and a .434 batting average.
Michael, a key sophomore to OCC's Eastern Conference Championship season, blasted 19 home runs and connected on 13 doubles for a .922 slugging percentage. The impressive power numbers were among the best in Region XII and on the national scene. Additionally, Michael recorded 71 hits as part of a season that ended with a .417 batting average, .542 on-base percentage and 57 runs scored.
Townsend, Macomb's career home run leader, put together a well-rounded season that was highlighted by a .496 batting average. The sophomore first baseman posted a .560 on-base percentage and slugged .767 via nine home runs and eight doubles. The impressive totals, combined with 64 hits, led to Townsend recording a team-best 43 RBIs this season.
Beechler, a sophomore pitcher/infielder, helped lead Delta to a Region XII Division III Championship behind a slash line of .350/.407/.475. The sophomore hit four home runs and three doubles on her way to notching 32 RBIs this season. Beechler tossed 67 innings and struck out 31 batters in the circle for the Pioneers in 2023.
