NFCA RELEASE
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Three from the Washington University in St. Louis softball team were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Region VIII All-Region honorees, the organization recently announced.
 
Headlining for the Bears on the first team is junior pitcher Maria Brooks. First-year outfielder Julia Sullo earned a spot on the second team and first-year pitcher Jessi Szafoni was named to the third team.
 
Brooks, who was named UAA Pitcher of the Year, wrapped up the season with an impressive 18-2 record, sitting without a loss until the final weekend of play. She had a team and UAA-low 1.32 ERA and pitched 13 complete games. Brooks pitched a team-high 127.2 innings and struck out 128 batters. Additionally, Brooks allowed just 10 extra-base hits and one home run.
 
Sullo, who was named UAA Rookie of the Year, led the Bears with a .464 batting average, playing 38 games with 36 starts. She had 58 hits with three doubles, three triples and two home runs. Sullo scored 41 runs and had 25 RBI. She smashed the previous single-season stolen base record for both the program and UAA, setting a new record of 50 stolen bases.
 
Szafoni finished the year with a 7-3 record, making 18 appearances with 11 starts. She finished with a 1.61 ERA, second on the team and in the UAA. She had seven complete games and two shutouts, as well as the lone save of the season. Szafoni pitched 74.0 innings and struck out 46 batters.
 
WashU wrapped up its season with a 30-7-1 record, winning a second-straight UAA title. It was the first time since 2014/2015 that the Bears won back-to-back UAA titles.
 
NFCA All-Americans will be announced at the Division III Championships, beginning May 28.
 
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