McMichael Grabs NFCA First Team All-American Honors
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Junior Iyhia McMichael became just the third player in the history of Mississippi State softball to garner NFCA all-America honors as the Nacogdoches, Texas, native was decorated with first team laurels in a pre-NCAA Women's College World Series banquet Wednesday evening in Oklahoma City.
McMichael, who became just the third player in school history to hit better than .400 in a single season, joins former Bulldog standouts Kellie Wilkerson (2000-01) and Keri McCallum (2000) on the list of first team all-Americans for the Maroon and White. Wilkerson, the only four-time all-American ever to play for Mississippi State, also earned second team accolades in 1999 and 2002.
"This is a tremendous honor for Iyhia, as well as Mississippi State," said Bulldogs head coach Jay Miller. "Throughout the season, she has proven to be a clutch player for us and has paced us offensively. It is nice to see her get recognized with such a prestigious honor."
McMichael, who earned 2003 SEC Softball Athlete of the Year honors and was named to the final 10 for the ASA/USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, broke or tied 10 single game or single season records in 2003, three of which came in one game. In a 15-4 victory for the Bulldogs over Samford on Feb. 16, she hit 3-for-4 with seven RBI, including a grand slam and a school record-tying two triples. The outburst moved her atop State's single game total base (10) and RBI (7) list.
The only unanimous selection on the 2003 first team all-SEC squad, McMichael hit .403 for the Maroon and White this season to go along with 33 extra-base hits (18 HR), 63 RBI and 63 runs scored. She drew 38 walks and matched her own school-record with 36 stolen bases in 37 attempts (.973), recording a .502 on-base percentage and a school record .801 slugging percentage.
She is currently atop five career lists at Mississippi State and is on pace to shatter seven more career records by the end of her senior season in 2004. She will join Wilkerson early next month at the USA National Team Camp in Chula Vista, Calif.
MSU'S ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS
OF/P/1B (1999-2002)
NFCA ? 2000-01 First Team; 1999, 2002 Second Team
Easton ? 1999-01 First Team; 2002 Honorable Mention
C (1997-00)
NFCA ? 2000 First Team
Easton ? 2000 First Team
OF (2001-Present)
NFCA ? 2003 First Team
Easton ? 2001 Second Team; 2002 Honorable Mention