Skip To Main Content

University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Terin Ritz
Terin Ritz

Softball

Terin Ritz Named D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year

Rylee Lemos And Terin Ritz Both Named D2CCA First Team All-Region

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma's Terin Ritz was named Central Region Player of the Year by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) and was joined on the First Team unit by Rylee Lemos, it was announced Monday.

It continued a run of postseason honors for the duo, who nabbed First Team All-Central Region accolades from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) last week and were also First Team All-MIAA picks. Ritz was named MIAA Player of the Year and Lemos MIAA Defensive Player of the Year.

Both players move on to the All-America ballot along with First Team members from the other seven regions, with those teams to be announced next week. The Central Region is comprised of teams from the MIAA, Great American Conference and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. D2CCA teams are voted on by sports information directors of member schools.

Ritz is a First Team D2CCA All-Central Region pick for the third straight year, becoming just the third player in school history to accomplish that. She's also UCO's fourth Central Region Player of the Year selection, joining Kacie Edwards (2012), Morgan Heard (2016), and Shayla Harper (2023).

The senior from Edmond is enjoying a sensational season for the No. 4-ranked Bronchos, who are 49-8 heading into a Central Super Regional showdown with No. 6 Augustana Thursday and Friday in Edmond.

One of the top power hitters in Division II, Ritz carries a .422 average with 18 doubles, 18 homers and 75 runs batted in. She ranks third nationally in RBIs, fourth in slugging percentage (.894), sixth in homers and 10th in total bases (144).

Ritz is also a dominant force in the pitching circle for UCO, having compiled a 21-3 record and 1.48 earned run average with 125 strikeouts and just 21 walks in 155.2 innings. She's thrown 18 complete games in 25 starts with nine shutouts, which is seventh nationally.

Lemos is a D2CCA First Team All-Central Region pick for the second straight season and has ignited UCO's high-powered offense all year from her leadoff spot in the lineup.

The junior outfielder from South Coffeyville, Oklahoma is batting .393 with 13 doubles, 11 homers, seven triples, 44 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. She leads the team in at bats (183), runs (68), hits (72), triples and steals.

Lemos ranks fourth nationally in runs scored and 15th in triples.

Central Oklahoma hosts Augustana Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Super Regional. Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m., with the if-necessary Game 3 scheduled for Friday at 4:30 p.m.

 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Rylee Lemos

#8 Rylee Lemos

OF
5' 6"
Junior
L/R
Terin Ritz

#99 Terin Ritz

P/1B
5' 8"
Senior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Rylee Lemos

#8 Rylee Lemos

5' 6"
Junior
L/R
OF
Terin Ritz

#99 Terin Ritz

5' 8"
Senior
R/R
P/1B
Skip Ad
Skip Sponsors