Louisville, Ken. - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced the 152 student-athletes from 64 schools who comprise the 2024 NFCA NAIA All-Region teams.
The Eagles, who represented Region V, placed a division-best eight players on the All-Region list — all on the first team. Central was represented by Jordyn Ball (Pitcher), Haile Farris (Pitcher), Lauren Hill (Catcher), Elizabeth Palumbo (First), Madison White (Second), Madison Roberts (Short), Kaysie Jolley (Outfield), and Joely Crider (Designated Player).
Ball finished the year with a 27-2 record inside the circle, with her 27 wins tying the single-season program record. She tossed 192 total innings while recording a 1.46 earned run average in 30 starts.
She also struck out 183 total batters, and tossed 24 complete games including a pair of no-hitters. For her efforts in conference play, Ball was named the Heart Pitcher of the Year and a first team all-conference selection.
Farris was the second pitcher for Central to earn all-region honors in her final season in an Eagle uniform. The native of Camdenton, Missouri appeared in 30 games with 23 starts, posting a 19-3 record which included 13 complete games.
She threw 148.2 total innings and recorded a 1.65 earned run average while striking out 144 total batters. The highlight of her senior campaign came when she threw a perfect game against Park. Farris was also named to the Heart All-Conference First Team.
Hill played in all 59 games for Central in 2024, primarily at catcher. She batted a career-best .358 with 59 hits, including 17 doubles, six homeruns and a triple. Hill also drove in 42 total runners and drew 18 walks. She was a Heart First Team All-Conference selection and was named the Heart Player of the Week on February, 12.
Palumbo had a stellar sophomore campaign that saw her earn a pair of conference honors as the Heart Player of the Year and a first team all-conference pick. She batted a team-best .419 with 83 hits including 18 doubles and five home runs. Palumbo finished the year driving in 48 RBI and committed just three errors at first base, compiling a .991 fielding percentage.
White is the fifth Eagle to land on the All-Region V team, as the senior concludes her time with CMU as a two-time all-region selection. In her final year with Central, the Columbia, Missouri native earned Heart All-Conference honors for the fourth consecutive year after batting .358 with 12 doubles, six home runs, and a triple. She also drove in 40 RBI and drew 29 walks.
Roberts, a sophomore from Elkhart, Illinois, earns all-region honors for the first time in her young career. She played in all 59 games for Central at shorstop, making her presence known in the infield. Roberts was named to the Heart All-Conference First Team and a Gold Glove selection, finishing the year with a .974 fielding percentage.
In the batter's box, she batted .369 with 16 doubles, a pair of home runs, and a triple. Additionally, Roberts drove in 44 runners and scored 32 runs herself.
Jolley landed on the first team after earning second team all-region honors as a freshman in 2023. The Heart First Team All-Conference selection played in all 59 games for the Eagles, primarily in left field. She finished the year with a .401 batting average with 77 hits, comprised of 18 doubles, a team-leading 14 home runs, and a triple. Jolley drove in 54 total runners and drew 25 walks. Jolley was named the Heart Player of the Week on March, 11th.
Crider rounds out the all-region selections for the Eagles, after being named to the second team her first year. The native of Eagle, Idaho appeared in all 59 games for CMU, mainly as the designated player/third basemen. In 147 at-bats, Crider tallied 52 hits including 11 doubles, three home runs, and two triples. She drove in 49 RBI and drew a team-best 35 walks. Altogether, Crider finished the year batting .354.
As a team, Central concluded the year sweeping the Heart Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championships for the third straight season. In addition, CMU finished the season with a 52-7 overall record, with the 52 wins being the most by any team in program history.
Central punched its ticket to its second straight appearance in the NAIA World Series, the first time the program has made back-to-back trips in school history.
To view the complete list of the 2024 NFCA NAIA All-Region teams, please click here.
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