2015 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Teams
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The legend of
Haily MacDonald grew on Thursday as the senior outfielder became the program's second artist-athlete to ever be named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Second Team. After a host of post-season honors that included
Daktronics All-West Region Second Team,
All-PacWest First Team,
Capital One Academic All-District, and
ARTYs Urban Knight of the Year, MacDonald continued to show just how memorable a senior year she had.
"This has been amazing senior season and I could not have done any of this without my teammates, coaches, and parents," said MacDonald. "I am honored to be receiving this award and I really can't say thank you enough."
This season, MacDonald became the program's new career leader in triples (9) and stolen bases (64) while also setting new single-season marks in steals (38) and runs scored (50). The fifth toughest hitter to strike out in the country, she finished the season ranked second in the PacWest in stolen bases (14th in NCAA Division II), third in runs scored, and fourth in batting average (.428). Often responsible for starting ART U rallies as the Urban Knights' leadoff hitter, MacDonald reached base in 47 of her 49 games played in 2015. This was all while excelling in the classroom with a cumulative GPA of 3.37 in the School of Graphic Design.
"This was a great year for Haily MacDonald and it is great to see her recognized alongside so many other talented athletes from our region," said head coach Sonja Garnett. "She has broken numerous records this year and has set the bar for excellence in our program. She is humble, hard working, and very deserving of this honor."
MacDonald found herself alongside 10 other individuals from the PacWest earning spots on the two All-Region Teams. Historically, MacDonald and
Elyse Cordova are the two ART U Softball Urban Knights to be recognized by the NFCA.
The idea for a softball coaching association first developed from discussions at the National Collegiate Women's Softball Championships in the early 1980s. Although mostly collegiate coaches comprised the organization's membership in the early days, today's college coaches are joined by high school and travel ball/club coaches, umpires, as well as other fans of fastpitch softball. In 1997, the Association's membership reached the 2,000 mark, and today there are more than 4,300 members.
