Cardinals' Hocking repeats as NFCA First-Team All-American

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Saint Mary’s University’s Jill Hocking (Apple Valley, Minn.) was named to the 2001 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American First Team for the second straight season, it was announced Wednesday.

Hocking, a senior first baseman/pitcher, has appeared in all 40 games for the defending national champion Cardinals, who captured their second straight regional title last weekend and begin defense of their NCAA Division III national crown Thursday against Wheaton (Mass.). Hocking, who was named to the team as a utility player, leads the Cardinals in virtually every offensive category, including batting average (.440), hits (51), RBIs (42), doubles (12), triples (5), home runs (4), total bases (85), slugging percentage (.733) and on-base percentage (.511). On the mound, Hocking — a four-time All-American (third team in 1998 and second team in 1999) and SMU’s outstanding female athlete and outstanding female scholar-athlete the last two seasons — posted a 17-5 record, with a team-leading 0.57 ERA. She appeared in a team-high 134.0 innings, while walking just 24 and striking out a career-high 120.

The All-American honor is just the latest post-season honor for Hocking, who was also named to the NFCA All-Midwest Region team for the fourth straight season, earned her fourth consecutive All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honor, landed her third straight Verizon College Division Academic All-District V team selection, and was named to the Seed 2 Regional All-Tournament team.