Softball 5/10/2023 2:24:00 PM Chris Brannick

Five Bronchos Earn NFCA All-Region Honors

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Central Oklahoma had five players named NFCA All-Region Wednesday as the Bronchos prepare to make their postseason run this week in the NCAA tournament.

Shayla Harper, Jacee Minter, and Terin Ritz were all named First Team All-Region while Jordyn Pipkin and Emily Deramus both earned Second Team All-Region honors.

SEE THE COMPLETE NFCA ALL-REGION TEAMS HERE

Harper leads the Bronchos with a .411 batting average this season and has a blistering .761 slugging percentage. The senior third baseman from Durant, Oklahoma has a team-high 67 hits and leads the Bronchos with four triples and 14 home runs too. Harper leads the Bronchos in runs scored (51) and runs batted in (53) as well.

Minter, who was an NFCA All-American last season, is hitting .355 this year. The junior outfielder from Edmond has 59 hits this season including 12 doubles, nine homers and two triples. She has 47 runs scored and 42 RBIs.

Ritz, who serves a dual role for the Bronchos pitching and hitting as the designated player. The sophomore from Edmond 21-1 this season with a 2.07 ERA. In 152 1/3 innings pitched, Ritz has 93 strikeouts and has thrown 12 complete games, with three shutouts. In the batter's box, Ritz is second on the team with a .364 batting average and a .630 slugging percentage. She has 56 hits, including 11 home runs and six doubles. Ritz has 47 RBIs and has scored 38 runs.

Pipkin starts for the Bronchos in the circle in games opposite of Ritz and has been dominant this year. She has a 19-3 record with a 2.13 ERA. The sophomore from Tulsa, Oklahoma has thrown 144 2/3 innings and has 82 strikeouts. She's thrown 13 complete games and also has three shutouts.

Deramus, who was named MIAA Freshman of the Year last week, has been brilliant in her first collegiate season. The Edmond native is hitting .362 with a .697 slugging percentage. Her 67 total hits are tied with Harper for the team lead. Deramus has a team-high 18 doubles and 12 home runs to go with four triples. She also has 49 runs scored and 46 runs batted in this season.

Central Oklahoma is ranked No. 4 in the country heading into the national tournament. The Bronchos are the No. 1 seed in the Central Region and are hosting one of two sub-regionals at Gerry Pinkston Stadium this week. UCO opens with eight-seed Southeastern Oklahoma State Thursday at 1 p.m. Harding and Oklahoma Baptist also play Thursday afternoon. The tournament runs through Saturday with the winner advancing to Super Regionals next weekend.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Shayla Harper: IF; 5' 7"; Senior; R/R

#12 Jacee Minter: OF; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

#99 Terin Ritz: P/1B; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R

#5 Emily Deramus: IF; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

#15 Jordyn Pipkin: P; 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

Players Mentioned

#11 Shayla Harper
: 5' 7"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#12 Jacee Minter
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#99 Terin Ritz
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R
: P/1B

#5 Emily Deramus
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: IF

#15 Jordyn Pipkin
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: P