Louisville, Ky. - The Missouri Southern softball program had three players named to the NFCA Central All-Region teams as announced by the organization on Wednesday, May 10th.
Yazmin Vargas a junior outfielder from Garden City, Kan. was named a first-team outfielder for the first time in her career and was earlier this month announced as a first-team All-MIAA outfielder for the second year in a row. Vargas this season leads the Lions with a .419 average, 41 runs scored and 36 stolen bases, in single-season program ranks is second for stolen bases, eighth for batting average and 11th for runs scored. For her career, Vargas is a .354 hitter with 157 hits, 121 runs scored, 90 stolen bases with 245 putouts and 11 assists from the outfield. Among program career ranks she is fourth in stolen bases and fifth in runs scored.
Avery Tallman a sophomore pitcher from Owasso, Okla. was named a second-team pitcher for the first time in her career and was earlier this month announced as an All-MIAA performer for the first time in her career. Tallman this season has a 19-3 record with a 2.22 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and opponents hitting .244 against her from 33 appearances, 21 starts with six complete games, one shutout, helping in two combined shutouts and a save in 126.1 innings of work. Among single-season program ranks she is fourth in winning percentage (86.4%) among pitchers with at least 10 wins and T-14th in wins overall. For her career, Tallman has a 21-6 record, 2.90 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and opponents hitting .276 against her from 54 appearances, 25 starts with eight complete games, one shutout and a save in 169.0 innings of work. Among program career ranks she is sixth in winning percentage (77.8%) among pitchers with at least 20 wins, 13th in walks per seven innings (1.53), T-25th for appearances and wins.
Leighton Withers a senior infielder from Benton, Ark. was named a second-team designated player or utility/non-pitcher for the first time in her career and was earlier this month a second-team All-MIAA second basemen. Withers this season leads the Lions with 56 hits, 14 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs, 46 RBIs, 32 walks and 13 HBPs to have a .747 slugging and .523 on-base percentages. In single-season program ranks she is first in hit-by-pitches and walks drawn, tied for first in home runs, second in on-base percentage, fourth in slugging percentage, fifth in RBIs and T-11th in doubles. For her career, Withers is a .354 hitter with 134 hits, 34 doubles, 22 home runs, 122 RBIs, 56 walks, 30 HBPs, a .656 slugging percentage, .468 on-base percentage with 445 putouts and 110 assists. Among program career ranks she is first in slugging percentage, second in on-base percentage, third in home runs, sixth in RBIs, tied for sixth in walks and eighth in doubles.
The Lions are set to begin the NCAA central regional tournament on Thursday, May 11th against Minnesota - Duluth at 2:00 p.m. at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex. This will be the first time the Lions have hosted an NCAA regional since the 1993 season and the first appearance overall in the NCAA tournament since the 2001 season.
