By Matt Cooke
Nicole Yancey spent four years at the University of West Georgia setting the standard for third basemen and hitting in general. On Wednesday, that standard grew even more, as Nicole was named a First Team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
With the announcement, Nicole becomes the first UWG softball player to earn the title and the fifth athlete this year at West Georgia to be named All-American, joining Melissa Holt (Volleyball), William Wright (Football), Brandon White (Football), and James Dugan (Football).
Nicole had a stellar senior season for the Wolves in 2014, shattering multiple school records and placing herself atop the UWG, Gulf South Conference and national record books. She batted .403 with 58 hits and 57 runs scored on the year. She belted 24 home runs, had 66 RBI, 60 walks and a slugging percentage of 1.021. She finished in the top five of six different categories nationally, including leading the nation by 13 in the walks department.
In the career record books, Nicole broke the all-time NCAA record for walks in her final game of the year at the Gulf South Conference tournament and finished her career with 171 free passes, three more than any other player in NCAA history. She also became the GSC record holder for career home runs during the season, outracing Valdosta State star Courtney Albritton to the record. Courtney has since tied her record, and both stars remain at 62 career home runs as VSU heads to the College World Series this week.
Nicole received the Alpha for Female Athlete of the Year at last week's WESTPY awards, the most recent in a season of honors. She was named Gulf South Conference Player of the Week three times and was named First Team All-Gulf South Conference at the conclusion of the season. She was named First Team All-South Region by the NFCA earlier this month and earned Second Team Daktronics All-Region honors as well.
NFCA All-American Release
2014 Finish in the National Statistics
Home Runs per game - 3rd
Home Runs - 4th
On-Base Percentage - 5th
Slugging Percentage - 3rd
Walks - 1st
Toughest to Strikeout - 24th
Nicole Yancey in the Record Books
NCAA - Career
Walks - 171 - Record Holder
Home Runs - 62 - 2nd
Grand Slams - 4 - 3rd
Slugging Percentage - .801 - 25th
Total Bases - 451 - 8th
Intentional Walks - 16 - 3rd
GSC - Career
Home Runs - 62 - Record Holder
RBI - 181 - 5th
Total Bases - 451 - 5th
Slugging Percentage - .801 - 2nd
Walks - 171 - Record Holder
UWG - Career
Walks - 171 - Record Holder
Home Runs - 62 - Record Holder
Grand Slams - 4 - Record Holder
Slugging Percentage - .801 - Record Holder
Total Bases - 451 - Record Holder
Intentional Walks - 16 - Record Holder
NCAA - Single Season
Home Runs (2014) - 24 - T-5th
Total Bases (2014) - 147 - 11th
Walks (2014) - 60 - 4th
Walks per Game (2014) - 1.11 - 22nd
Intentional Walks (2014) - 4 - T-9th
Intentional Walks (2012) - 7 - 6th
GSC - Single Season
Home Runs - 24 - 3rd
Slugging Percentage - 1.021 - Record Holder
Walks - 60 - Record Holder
UWG - Single Season
Batting Average - .403 - Record Holder
Runs - 57 - 2nd
Home Runs - 24 - Record Holder
RBI - 66 - Record Holder
Doubles - 15 - 3rd
Walks - 60 - Record Holder (Set the record in 3-of-4 years)
On-Base Pct. - .577 - Record Holder (Holds 4 of the top-5)
Slugging Percentage - 1.021 - Record Holder (Holds 4 of the top-5)
