The National Fastpitch Coaches Association recently released their All-Region teams. The awards honor student-athletes from the Association's three NJCAA Division II regions with selection to one of two teams. NFCA member head coaches nominate and then vote for the winners in their respective region.

Abby Burgess, catcher, and Taylor Larson, pitcher/utility, were both named to the NFCA Midwest All-Region Second Team.

Abby Burgess was the sole catcher selected on the team. Burgess is a sophomore from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She was a tremendous defensive catcher for the Lakers. Burgess threw out 16 of the 30 runners that attempted to steal on her for a .533 runners caught stealing percentage. She appeared in 59 games for the Lakers this season, with half of those being behind the plate. Offensively, she batted .273 with 39 hits, including five doubles, two triples, and four home runs. Burgess walked 30 times and stole 27 bases.

Taylor Larson was the one athlete selected for the pitcher/utility position on the team. Larson is a sophomore from Blair, Nebraska. Larson played in 58 games for the Lakers and compiled a .385 batting average with a .462 on-base percentage. She racked up 69 hits, including 8 doubles, 3 triples, and 24 home runs. Larson also used her speed to steal 21 bases this year. Larson finished fourth in the NJCAA individual rankings this year in home runs. In the circle, Larson appeared in 31 games and started in 23. She finished with a 10-9 record and threw 121 innings on the year.

"Abby and Taylor have dedicated a lot to this program and are deserving of this award. Their passion for the game and desire to improve showed every day at practice and games. Their hard work and the work of their teammates made this possible. The region is filled with strong players, and to be named as one of the elites is a tremendous honor for them." Commented Coach King.