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Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Oakland Named an NFCA Second Team All-American
5/29/2024 4:00:00 PM | Softball
Oakland becomes the 16th Golden Gopher to receive NFCA All-American honors
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After being named 2024 Big Ten Player of the Year and receiving a first-team all-region selection, University of Minnesota sophomore Jess Oakland was voted as a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) At-Large-Shortstop Second Team All-American.
Oakland becomes Minnesota's 16th Golden Gopher to achieve All-American status, this is the first career NFCA All-American honor she's received.
Raking in multiple awards throughout the course of her sophomore campaign, the All-American title caps off a historic year for the shortstop. Oakland was also recognized as a second team All-American by Softball America and D1 Softball for her efforts on the field. The San Jose, Calif., native received CSC Academic All-District distinction for her work in the classroom.
The two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection became Minnesota's single season leader with 68 runs scored, second in batting average (.452), fifth in doubles (19), first in home runs (20), and fourth in walks (44). A Big Ten All-Defensive team member, Oakland helped lead Minnesota's defense to second in the nation in turning double plays per game.
After being selected as a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 26 Finalist, Oakland concluded her season leading the nation in multiple categories: fifth in average, 10th in doubles, ninth in home runs, fifth in on base percentage (.563), fourth in slugging percentage (.923), and fifth in total bases (155).
Oakland also set multiple single-game records including hitting three home runs and collecting 14 total bases against Illinois on March 30. She matched an NCAA record and set another Minnesota single-game record against the Fighting Illini in the Big Ten Tournament, where she walked six times on May 5.
The NFCA All-America Teams are voted on by the Association's All-America Committees. In Division I, the committee is composed of one selected member head coach from each of the NFCA's 10 regions. All student-athletes who were nominated by a member head coach and voted to the first-, second or third-team All-Region teams were eligible for All-America consideration.
Oakland becomes Minnesota's 16th Golden Gopher to achieve All-American status, this is the first career NFCA All-American honor she's received.
Raking in multiple awards throughout the course of her sophomore campaign, the All-American title caps off a historic year for the shortstop. Oakland was also recognized as a second team All-American by Softball America and D1 Softball for her efforts on the field. The San Jose, Calif., native received CSC Academic All-District distinction for her work in the classroom.
The two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection became Minnesota's single season leader with 68 runs scored, second in batting average (.452), fifth in doubles (19), first in home runs (20), and fourth in walks (44). A Big Ten All-Defensive team member, Oakland helped lead Minnesota's defense to second in the nation in turning double plays per game.
After being selected as a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 26 Finalist, Oakland concluded her season leading the nation in multiple categories: fifth in average, 10th in doubles, ninth in home runs, fifth in on base percentage (.563), fourth in slugging percentage (.923), and fifth in total bases (155).
Oakland also set multiple single-game records including hitting three home runs and collecting 14 total bases against Illinois on March 30. She matched an NCAA record and set another Minnesota single-game record against the Fighting Illini in the Big Ten Tournament, where she walked six times on May 5.
The NFCA All-America Teams are voted on by the Association's All-America Committees. In Division I, the committee is composed of one selected member head coach from each of the NFCA's 10 regions. All student-athletes who were nominated by a member head coach and voted to the first-, second or third-team All-Region teams were eligible for All-America consideration.
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