Softball Secures Three NFCA All-Region Selections

MEQUON, Wis. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released its 2022 NCAA Division III All-Region selections on Monday afternoon. The Falcons landed two first-team selections in Gina Followell and Claudia Utz. Jess Pozezinski was also voted onto the third team.

The three selections to the NFCA Region VIII teams tie the program record for selections in a season with the 2017 team. The Falcons landed two selections in 2013, 2019 and 2021.

A senior from Romeoville, Illinois, Gina Followell is making her second-straight appearance on the NFCA All-Region First Team. The NACC Pitcher of the Year finished the season with a 22-2 record with the program record for wins in a single season. She averaged 11.52 strikeouts per game and finished with 265 on the year. She only allowed 16 earned runs on the year and posted an earned-run average of 0.70.

Gina Followell becomes the second Falcon to earn two NFCA All-Region honors twice in their careers with Molly O'Connell earning first-team honors in 2018 and second-team honors in 2019.

A junior from Lockport, Illinois, Claudia Utz is claiming her first NFCA All-Region honor. Utz broke the single-season record for the Falcons with 53 runs batted in on the season. She also notched 51 hits, with 14 doubles to tie the school record, eight home runs and three triples. The Illinois native also stole eight bases without ever being caught and drew 10 walks. She finished the year with a .389 batting average, a .477 on-base percentage and a .725 slugging percentage.

A freshman from Lake Villa, Illinois, Jess Pozezinski is landing on an NFCA All-Region time for the first time in her career. The CUW freshman took the NACC by storm this spring with a blistering .409 batting average. The Illinois native broke the school record for home runs in a single season with 13, runs with 55 and 104 total bases. She also tallied up a team-high 52 hits with 13 doubles. She brought in 47 runs batted in, stole 12 bases and drew 26 walks. Pozezinski finished with a .510 on-base percentage and a .819 slugging percentage.

Jess Pozezinski joins her sister Jenna Pozezinski in earning All-Region honors. Jenna earned NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team honors in 2019.

The Falcons were one of 17 schools in all of NCAA Division three with three student-athletes honored. Top-ranked Christopher Newport in Region VI topped the field with seven selections.

All honorees move forward to be considered for selection for the three NFCA Division III All-America squads, which will be announced on May 24.

For a complete list of selections, click here.