2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Softball Team

Starkville, MS -- After an incredible season where she led the Pacific West Conference in both batting average and stolen bases, sophomore outfielder Elyse Cordova proudly represents Academy of Art University as part of the 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Softball Team. The announcement came on Thursday, May 10 with a first and second team for each of the NFCA's eight regions comprised of 204 student-athletes from 89 institutions. Cordova, who was NFCA All-West Region Second Team last year and All-PacWest First Team in 2012, garners the prestigious honor for her second consecutive season.

"I am so grateful for the support of my team and coaches and their confidence in me," Cordova said. "I am happy to contribute what I can to the team and even though we work hard all year to be the best we can be, I am always pleasantly surprised to receive honors such as this."

A dynamic softball player capable of highlights in the batter's box, on the base paths, and in the outfield, Cordova once again demonstrated she could do it all with a 2012 campaign which bettered her 2011 by a significant margin. The sophomore outfielder led the PacWest in batting average (.441) and stolen bases (20) while, in addition, she ranked ninth in the conference in on-base percentage (.463), sixth in hits (63), and was in the Top 20 in runs scored (31), triples (2), and slugging percentage (.497).

"I am so proud of Elyse," head coach Rachel Sherman said. "I'm so happy to see her get the recognition she deserves. From day one this fall, she worked hard and saw the results physically and more importantly mentally. The growth she has shown this season mentally and emotionally is why I think she was able to not just match last year's stats but improved upon them even more."

Cordova enjoyed four PacWest Weekly Top 10 selections in 2012 and twice tied Academy of Art's single-game steals record (3). The Tulare, CA native would start the year hot with an eight-game hitting streak and proceeded to collect hits by the bunches, completing the year with 18 multi-hit outings and a team-high of seven three-hit games. One of Cordova's best series of the season came versus Humboldt State (Feb. 19) when she went 6-for-7 with two hits including a walk-off during ART U's single-inning runs scored record in the finale. Cordova, who in two seasons is already the Urban Knights' career leader in steals (38), will look to pick up where she left off as a junior after having finished this year on an 11-game hit streak.

"Elyse had a great year in the outfield and was a triple threat at the plate, making her one of the toughest players in the PacWest and West Region," Coach Sherman said. "Elyse has a very bright future with two more years to continue to grow, develop, and show off even more of her skills. She is a great person on and off the field and I can't wait to see the impact she makes with the rest of her career."

NFCA member coaches in each of the eight regions selected this year's All-Region teams and all honorees are now eligible to be selected to one of three All-American teams.

The 2012 NFCA Division II All-American teams will be announced on NFCA.org on the evening of Wednesday, May 16.