Two Lady Wolves Named NFCA All-American

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced the NJCAA DII All-Americans on Monday, June 2. The Lady Wolves had two members grab spots on the teams as pitcher Emily Richarde (Lakeland, TN) was named First Team All-American while pitcher/utility Taylor Efferson (Holden, LA) was named Second Team All-American.

Emily Richarde was a star in the circle during her sophomore season finishing the regular season a perfect 18-0 (13-0 in MACCC play) and finished the season at 22-1 overall. The 22 wins are the third-most in the MACCC and tied her for second-most single season wins at Co-Lin. She led the team in starts with 25 and had the second-most appearances at 26 while her 22nd win clinched the national championship for the Lady Wolves and gave her the team lead in complete games at 16. Her 1.57 earned run average is fifth highest in the conference and her team-leading 140 strikeouts are a Top 10 mark in the conference. She pitched 157.1 innings this season allowing 53 runs, 44 earned, on 95 hits with 76 walks. She was also named First Team All-MACCC and NJCAA All-Region 23.

Taylor Efferson was a two-way star for the Lady Wolves during her sophomore season. At the plate, she posted a .340 batting average going 54-for-162 with 30 runs scored and 53 RBIs. The 53 RBIs are a Top Five mark in the MACCC. She has eight doubles on the season and is second on the team in home runs with 11, a mark that is Top 10 in the MACCC. She also led the team in walks with 28 and hit-by-pitch with eight while posting a .455 on-base percentage, and a .593 slugging percentage. In the circle, she finished 15-2 in the regular season and finished 18-3 with a 1.48 earned run average which is second in the MACCC while her 18 wins is tied for fourth-most. She also has three saves on the season to lead the team and that is second-most in the MACCC. She led the team in appearances with 29 and pitched 137.1 innings allowing 50 runs, 29 earned, on 117 hits with 27 walks and 85 strikeouts. She was also named First Team All-MACCC as a designated player and Second Team All-MACCC as a pitcher, NJCAA All-Region 23 and was the MVP of the National Tournament.

These awards come in addition to the three NFCA All-Region South awards the Lady Wolves were honored with as Richarde was named First Team while Taylor Efferson and Carson Hughey (Brookhaven) were named Second Team.

Per the NFCA, All-Region and All-America athletes must be nominated by their NFCA-member head coach, are voted for by the coaches in their region or division, and ultimately selected by elected NJCAA Division II All-American committee members to receive this prestigious accolade. To view the full list, click here.