Askins Named to All-Region Team

More postseason honors continue to come in for the USAO softball team. For the second straight season, junior Dana Askins was named to the NAIA All-Region VI team. Askins is now eligible for a shot at being named an NAIA All-American for the second time.

Askins, recently named the Sooner Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, helped lead USAO to a program-best 50-19 record, as well as second-place finishes in both the SAC and Region VI tournaments. The Drovers also advanced to the NAIA national tournament, scheduled for May 20-25 in Decatur, Ala.

Askins, a pitcher from Moore, boasted a league-best 0.78 earned-run average (ERA) and 205 strikeouts. The left-hander posted a 23-9 record, including 31 starts, 29 complete games, and 12 shutouts. As a hitter, Askins finished second in the SAC with a .423 batting average, including 16 doubles, seven triples, three home runs, and 30 RBIs.

Last season, Askins earned SAC and Region VI Player of the Year honors, and was named a second-team NAIA All-American.

Oklahoma City University catcher Cat Calvert was named the Region VI Player of the Year, and Houston Baptist’s Rachel Werner received Pitcher of the Year honors. Mary-Ellen Hall, also of Houston Baptist, was named the Coach of the Year.

Others on the All-Region team include: Bacone’s Brandy Hill, Jessica Dean, Bianca Oakley, Megan Melancon; Houston Baptist’s Werner, Katelyn Griffin, Cheri Wood, Morgan Anderson, and Diana Rychlik; Oklahoma City’s Calvert, Jill Vaughn, and Lelys Gomez; Oklahoma Christian’s Lindsey Lawson, Angie Plowman, and Shawna Lenz; Oklahoma Baptist’s Katy Thurber; and, St. Gregory’s Sheena Harrison.