May 29, 2013
2013 NFCA Second Team All-America Selections
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame outfielder Emilee Koerner concluded her outstanding sophomore softball season by being named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s (NFCA) All-America second team, the NFCA announced Wednesday.
Koerner, an at-large outfield choice, became the 22nd All-American in Notre Dame’s 25-year program history, and just the third second team selection since 2001, joining Kristin Schmidt (2001) and Amy Buntin (2012). She is the second youngest Irish All-America second team selection, in terms of class year, behind Schmidt, who was a freshman during the 2001 season.
Notre Dame has now had a total of six student-athletes earn second team All-America honors since Terri Kobata became the first Notre Dame player to receive the accolade in 1995.
A top 10 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, Koerner was a vital piece of the Notre Dame offense that posted a 43-15 overall record (19-3 in BIG EAST Conference play) on the way to winning the final BIG EAST regular season softball championship. After a runner-up finish at the BIG EAST Championship, Notre Dame was selected to participate in the NCAA Championship at the Lexington Regional, its 15th consecutive tournament selection and 18th overall berth in school history.
Koerner led all BIG EAST players with a .439 batting average in 2013, batting at or above the .500 plateau for most of the regular season on her way to earning NFCA Great Lakes all-region first team distinction. The Tustin, Calif. native added a conference-best 79 hits, 21 doubles (a Notre Dame program record), a .772 slugging percentage and 139 total bases, along with a team-high 77 putouts without an error in the Irish outfield.
Koerner garnered all-BIG EAST first team accolades after pacing the league with a .492 average in 22 conference starts. She chipped in a BIG EAST-high 26 runs scored and eight doubles, and ranked in the league’s top five in both hits (32, tied for second) and total bases (55, fourth). The Irish center fielder was also a three-time BIG EAST Player of the Week selection during the 2013 campaign.
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