Four UCO Players Earn All-America Honors

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (May 24) – Four Central Oklahoma softball players earned All-America recognition from the Division II Conference Commissioners Association Wednesday, headlined by third baseman Shayla Harper's first-team selection.

Terin Ritz was a second-team choice at utility/pitcher, while shortstop Emily Deramus was a third-team pick and outfielder Jacee Minter an honorable mention honoree.

The D2CCA All-America teams are voted on by sports information directors of NCAA Division II schools from around the country.

"This is a great honor for these girls and our program," said head coach Cody White, whose team is 52-7 heading into the NCAA Division II Softball Championship that opens Thursday in Chattanooga, Tenn. "We're extremely proud of what they've accomplished this year and it's a tribute to our entire team."

Harper has earned a bevy of postseason honors. She earned first-team All-MIAA accolades and was also a first-team All-Central Region pick by both the D2CCA and NFCA in addition to being named D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year.

The Durant senior leads the Bronchos in average (.398), runs scored (56), home runs (14), runs batted in (54), slugging percentage (.722), on-base percentage (.464), sacrifice flies (five) and assists (113).

Ritz has been an offensive ringleader all season in addition to filling a role as the team's top pitcher. She was a D2CAA and NFCA first-team All-Central Region selection after garnering second-team All-MIAA honors.

The sophomore from Edmond is hitting .357 with 12 homers and 52 RBI at the plate and 26-2 with three saves and a 2.07 earned run average in the circle. Ritz has walked just 30 batters in 185.2 innings.

Deramus stepped into an immediate starting role as true freshman this season and has been an offensive and defensive mainstay for the Bronchos. She was named MIAA and NFCA Central Region Freshman of the Year while also picking up first-team All-MIAA and D2CCA All-Central Region accolades.

The Edmond native is batting .356 with team highs in at bats (205), hits (73), doubles (20) and triples (five) to go along with 12 homers and 49 RBI. She's also made 110 assists in the field and stolen 11 bases.

Minter received D2CCA All-America recognition for the second straight year after making the first-team unit in 2022. She was a first-team All-MIAA selection along with gathering first-team D2CAA and NFCA All-Central Region honors.

The Edmond senior is hitting .364 with 13 doubles, 10 homers and 46 RBI along with a team-high 30 walks.

No. 4-ranked UCO meets Nova Southeastern at 3 p.m. (Oklahoma time) Thursday in the first round of the Division II Softball Championship.

CONFERENCE COMMISSIONERS ASSOCIATION ALL-AMERICA TEAMS

FIRST TEAM
P - Lindsey Hibbs, Adelphi
P - Hannah Beatus, Grand Valley State
P - Kayleigh Jones, Oklahoma Baptist
C - Kenzie Middleton, Colorado Christian
1B - Hannah Marsteller, Shippensburg
2B - Zoe Willis, Georgia Southwestern
3B - Shayla Harper, Central Oklahoma
SS - Hannah Rose, Charleston
OF - Jessica Campbell, King
OF - Allison Dejidas, Mercyhurst
OF - Ruby Salzman, West Texas A&M
DP - Torri Chute, Augustana
UTL - Millay Lambert, Lane College
UTL/P - Hannah Rose Corbin, Columbus State

SECOND TEAM
P - Kayla Betts, Saint Leo
P - Tatum Goff, UT Tyler
P - Joni Russell, Hillsdale College
C - McCall Lee, Mississippi College
1B - Kayson Boatner, Anderson
2B - Sydni Hawkins, Missouri Western
3B - Nicole Purtell, Shepherd
SS - Lydia Goble, Grand Valley State
OF - Courtlynn Cooney, Mount Olive
OF - JT Smith, UT Tyler
OF - Anna Zoia-Buescher, Sonoma State
DP - Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman
UTL - Leighton Withers, Missouri Southern
UTL/P - Terin Ritz, Central Oklahoma

THIRD TEAM
P - Kali Crandall, Colorado Christian
P - Sara Llamas-Howell, Rogers State
P - Kenzee Smith, Indianapolis
C - Isabella Andujar, Charleston
1B - Delaney Young, Augustana
2B - Lawren Hayes, Alabama-Huntsville
3B - Talon LaClair, Lenoir-Rhyne
SS - Emily Deramus, Central Oklahoma
OF - Madison Melvin, West Chester
OF - Logan Menzies, Colorado Christian
OF - Alexis Smith, Nova Southeastern
DP - Kamryn Eaton, Mississippi College
UTL - Sara Miller, Wilmington
UTL/P - Mariah Galhouse, Tampa

HONORABLE MENTION
P - Katie Bracken, Alabama-Huntsville
P - Katlin Entrup, Concordia – Irvine
P - Mariah Galhouse, Tampa
C - Kendall Andrews, Trevecca Nazarene
1B - Kaitlyn Stuff, Georgian Court
2B - Ashlyn Lerma, Angelo State
3B - Alexandra Hare, Saint Leo
SS - Macey Neal, Union
OF - Kennedy Cox, Arkansas- Monticello
OF - Jacee Minter, Central Oklahoma
OF - Shelby Samples, Mississippi College
DP - Selena Michko, Purdue Northwest
UTL - Emily Riggs, Fairmont State
UTL/P - Emilee Boyer, West Texas A&M

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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

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