Carlson Named NFCA Second Team All-America
Melissa Carlson is La Verne's first softball All-American in three years
La Verne standout Melissa Carlson has been named Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Second Team All-America as announced by the NFCA Thursday night in Montclair, NJ.
A senior outfielder from San Dimas, Carlson paced the Leopards in several offensive categories en route to earning 2009 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Player of the Year and First Team All-West Region honors. She becomes the first La Verne softball All-American since Kelley Silagyi (First Team) and Amanda Jones (Second Team) in 2006.
Carlson led La Verne in batting average (.438), hits (67), runs scored (53), home runs (7), total bases (100), and stolen bases (33) as the Leopards advanced to NCAA postseason play for the second consecutive year.
Carlson was recently named to the West Region All-Tournament Team after hitting .455 with 5 stolen bases in her three games during last weekend's NCAA Division III West Regionals (May 7-11) in Marshall, Texas.
She was a two-time First Team All-SCIAC selection in 2007 and 2008 while earning Third Team All-West Region honors in 2008.
La Verne finished with a 29-17 overall mark this season under second-year head coach Julie Smith.
