ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – After picking up All-Mountain West honors early this week, sophomore Chelsea Johnson and senior Mariah Rimmer have been named to the NFCA West All-Region Third Team, announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Thursday morning.
This is the first time the Lobos have received All-Region honors since the 2012 season. The last Lobos to garner All-Region honors was current assistant Jessica Garcia (First Team) and Stefanie Carramusa (Second Team).
“This is a big deal for Lobo softball to have two student-athletes of our team represented,” said head coach Erica Beach. “I’m so proud of Chelsea and Mariah for all their hard work this season. “They put up incredible numbers and are very deserving of this honor.
“They have both been two of our most productive offensive student-athletes all season and it’s amazing to see them being recognized for their accomplishments.”
Johnson led the team with .391 batting average, 11 home runs, a .816 slugging percentage and a .440 on-base percentage. In conference games only, Johnson led the MW with her 11 home runs, 1.123 slugging percentage and .491 batting average. She ranked fourth in on-base percentage (.523) and third in RBI (33).
Johnson’s season was highlighted by two grand slams and a game where she hit three home runs, tying the MW record for most home runs in a game. Johnson was named Mountain West Player of the Week twice this season and earned First Team All-Mountain West early this week.
Rimmer, a Second Team All-Mountain West selection, was second on the team with a .390 batting average. She led the team and conference with 67 hits. She finished with a team-best 14 doubles and three triples to go along with seven home runs. She also led the team with 12 stolen bases, seven of those coming in conference play to rank fourth.
Rimmer’s senior season was capped by breaking UNM’s career hit record with her 243rd hit of her career against San Josè State in the season finale. She finished her career with a total of 244 hits. She also holds UNM’s career batting average and total base records and is among the top 10 in all offensive categories except for one.
The Lobos finished the season with a 23-27 overall record. They were 8-15 in the Mountain West for a seventh place finish.