Four players from Wallace State’s national championship softball team named NFCA All-Americans

HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s national championship softball team had four players selected as 2013 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NJCAA Division I All-Americans, as announced Wednesday by the organization.
Wallace State pitchers BreeAnna Blevins and Lindsey DeFee, outfielder Katie Gentle and third baseman Kori Benson each earned the honor. The Lady Lions, who finished 55-12 and claimed the program’s second national championship, collected the most first-team selections in the junior college ranks.
On the mound, Blevins and DeFee were co-aces for Wallace State all season, both finishing as 26-game winners. Blevins was 26-6 with a 1.56 ERA, tossing 27 complete games and striking out 240 hitters in 188 2/3 innings, while DeFee finished 26-5 with a 1.87 ERA, pitching 20 complete games.
Gentle finished with one of the best offensive seasons in Wallace State softball history, hitting .456 with a single-season record of 74 RBIs. She also belted 16 homers and had 25 doubles and a team-high 27 stolen bases.
Benson also posted record-breaking numbers, clubbing a school-record 23 home runs. The Oak Grove grad finished with a .352 average, 62 RBIs and a .802 slugging percentage.
The NFCA recognition marks another All-American nod for Blevins and Gentle after each garnered NJCAA Division I first-team recognition last month.
Wallace State advanced to the national tournament after winning its second straight ACCC/Region 22 state title, sixth in seven seasons and eighth overall.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit wallacestate.edu.