More good news for the Oregon softball program.
A day after the Ducks (47-6) received a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the team announced that seven players have been selected to the all-Pac-12 teams.
Pitchers Maggie Balint and Megan Kleist, outfielder Danica Mercado and shortstop Nikki Udria all earned first team honors while outfielder Alexis Mack was named to the second team and Gwen Svekis and Mia Camuso to the third team.
Congrats to first team all-Pac-12 picks @BalintMaggie, @MeganKleist, @danica_mariah and @NicoletteUdria! #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/2cGTBqPozc
— Oregon Softball (@OregonSB) May 15, 2017
Balint (19-3) and Kleist (19-3) are the cornerstones of an impressive starting rotation. They combined for 266 strikeouts and just 63 walks. Balint’s 1.13 ERA is second in the Pac-12 and opposing batters are hitting just .165 against her, which is best in the conference. Kleist owns a 1.26 ERA and she’s only allowed five home runs during 515 at-bats.
Udria is an offensive spark for the Ducks. She’s second on the team with a batting average of .400 and she leads the team in home runs, slugging percentage and RBIs.
Mercado is a force on the base paths. Her 23 stolen bases rank second in the Pac-12 and she’s only been caught stealing three times. She’s also hitting .373 on the season and ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in doubles.
Mack, a transfer from South Carolina, used her speed to propel her to the second team. She hit .415 this season and led the conference in stolen bases.
Svekis and Camuso, who were named to the third team, each have 38 RBIs, which is tied for third-most on the team.
The Ducks will play Illinois-Chicago on Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Jane Sanders Stadium in the first game of the NCAA Regionals.
Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917
