COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M softball players Cali Lanphear and Mel Dumezich were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America, the NFCA announced Wednesday.
Lanphear, a freshman from Montgomery, Texas, became the first Aggie freshman since 2010 to take All-America honors as she was selected to the NFCA second team. Dumezich, a senior from Whiting, Ind., was named to the NFCA third team and is earning the honor for the third time in her career.
Lanphear led the Aggies with 21 home runs, 48 runs, 58 RBI and an .855 slugging percentage in her rookie season. The designated player was titled Freshman All-SEC for her outstanding rookie season, and earned a spot on the NFCA All-South Region First Team. Lanphear becomes the 15th Aggie All-American under Head Coach Jo Evans, and the program’s 33rd overall.
Dumezich becomes a rare three-time All-American with the third honor in as many years. Aggie great Megan Gibson was the last A&M player to accomplish this feat, in 2008. Dumezich, the 2013 recipient of the Texas A&M Distinguished Lettermen’s Award, was also selected to the NFCA All-America third team as a junior in 2012 and to the NFCA second team as a sophomore in 2011. The senior utility pitcher was named to the NFCA All-South Region Second Team and the All-SEC Second Team. Dumezich (27-10) led the Aggies from the circle with six solo shutouts in 44 appearances, tossing 236 strikeouts on her way to a 2.98 ERA. The senior’s efforts at the plate brought in 11 doubles and 12 home runs.
The Aggies ended the 2013 season in the NCAA Norman Super Regional with a 42-18 record. This marks the fifth Super Regional appearance for the Aggies and the 24th trip to the NCAA Tournament, including 12 straight under Evans. A&M also picked up its eighth 40-win season with Evans at the helm in 2013. The Aggies began the season with the program’s best start at 19-0.
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Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics