2014 NFCA Division I All-Region Teams
FULLERTON, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton sophomore third baseman Missy Taukeiaho was named to the 2014 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-West Region First Team on Thursday morning. Taukeiaho becomes the first Titan to be named to an NFCA All-West Region First Team since Kiki Munoz earned the same honor in 2008.
"Our entire coaching staff couldn't be happier and more proud of Missy. She has simply changed the culture of Titans softball since the first day she put on the uniform," said Head Coach Kelly Ford. "Her influence and impact on the field go much more beyond the numbers because of her incredible softball mindset. She is both a leader and true mentor on and off the field for her teammates. It has been an honor to coach her through her incredible season, this recognition is well deserved."
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 2014 NFCA Division I All-American teams.
The University of Washington transfer single handedly rewrote both the program and conference record books in four separate categories en route to being the first Titan to earn Big West Player of the Year honors since Ashley Van Boxmeer in 2006.
Batting from the leadoff position in all 55 games this year, Taukeiaho scored 62 times, inking her into the books for most in a single-season. Power wasn't the least bit lacking from batting in the one-hole, as she blasted 19 home runs, notching her into the No. 2 spot on the single-season charts. In addition, she finished No. 6 in RBI (51) and No. 9 in batting average with a .429 clip.
Being an offensive machine, Taukeiaho manufactured 21 multi-hit contests and 12 multi-RBI games, pacing the Titans to their first .300 team average since the 2000 campaign. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native captured three Player of the Week accolades over the season, good for third most all-time in Big West Conference history. She led the league in home runs, runs scored, RBI, walks (40), on-base percentage (.547) and slugging percentage (.851). In conference play, Taukeiaho launched eight of her 19 long balls complimented by her league-high .508 average, propelling the Titans to victories in seven of their last eight games.
Taukeiaho helped guide the Titans to a 33-21-1 overall record and fourth place finish in the Big West. The 33 wins marked the most wins in a single season for the Titans since 2007 while finishing with the second-best RPI (53) behind conference champions Long Beach State. The 2014 NFCA Division I All-America teams will be announced on Wednesday, May 28, via NFCA.org