Wilkerson, McMichael Named To NFCA All-Region Squads
LAFAYETTE, La. -- Mississippi State senior first baseman/pitcher Kellie Wilkerson and sophomore outfielder Iyhia McMichael joined an elite group of players from around the Southeast Friday as both were named to the NFCA all-South Region squads. Wilkerson, a Jacksonville, Fla., native was named to the first team all-region squad for the fourth time while McMichael, a Nacogdoches, Texas, native garnered her the first all-region accolades of her career as part of the second team. Both are now eligible to garner all-American accolades. Wilkerson, one of the most highly decorated players ever to don the Maroon and White, hit over .400 for the for the fourth-straight season in Starkville, turning in a .414 average to go along with 28 extra-base hits, 31 RBI and 49 runs scored. She led the Bulldogs in both slugging percentage (.680) and on base percentage (.549) and drew 48 or more walks (49) for the third-straight season. She currently holds 25 single season or career records at Mississippi State and, with three more base hits, will tie former all-American Keri McCallum atop MSU's career hits list (319). In the circle, Wilkerson was equally as dominant, turning in a 5-2 record and a team-leading 1.91 ERA, striking out 70 batters in 69.2 innings of work. She shattered, then added to, the NCAA's career saves record with an NCAA single season record 14 during the campaign and held opponents to a .195 batting average. She also combined for four shutouts. Two weeks ago, Wilkerson joined a select group of athletes when she collected first team all-SEC honors for the fourth time. McMichael, who earned all-SEC honors (first team) for the second-straight season, was an equally explosive player for Mississippi State this season. She finished the regular season with a .333 batting average on the shoulders of 26 extra-base hits, 44 runs scored and a team-leading 47 RBIs. She turned in a .544 slugging percentage and a .440 on base percentage, drew 37 walks and easily broke MSU's single season stolen base record, swiping 35 bases in 39 attempts (90%). She led the SEC in outfield assists (9) and committed her only two errors of the campaign during the SEC Tournament. The two players will now be placed upon a national pedestal as both will compete with a plethora of the nation's top players for all-American consideration. Wilkerson will attempt to capture her fourth-straight all-American nod. Both were members of the 2001 Easton all-America teams.