RR
Rachel Ripley
  • Life Sciences Grades 7-12
  • Class of 2017
  • Gustine, TX

Rachel Ripley Earns NCCAA Honors

2018 May 16

McMurry University softball standout Rachel Ripley of Gustine, TX has received National Christian College Athletic Association honors.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - McMurry University softball players Rachel Ripley and Ashley McClellan both added another award to their portfolio, as they were named to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) All-Central Region first team, it was announced in conjunction with the NCCAA regional tournament. The pair also have the distinction of being the first-ever War Hawks to earn all-region honors in the program's history.

Ripley and McClellan both also received accolades from the American Southwest Conference earlier this week.

Ripley, a junior, posted team-leading numbers in virtually every major offensive category, topping McM in batting average (.395), hits (49), doubles (15), triples (3), home runs (6), runs batted in (88), slugging percentage (.710) and on-base average (.437). She also had a team-best 237 total chances fielding from her firstbase position.

Ripley had a 17-game hitting streak to her credit. She also went three-of-four in steals, collecting 14 multi-hit games and eight multi-RBI games.

McClellan, a freshman centerfielder was solid, both with the bat and the leather. McClellan hit .281 as the War Hawks' leadoff batter and had a .967 fielding percentage, many of the dazzling variety. She led the club in at-bats (135) and runs scored (32), also going seven-for-eight in steals.

"It's very gratifying for me to see two quality players from our first-year program gain the attention of other coaches that leads to recognition like this," McM head coach David McNally said. "And they could not have honored two better individuals when it comes to our program. Rachel's numbers stack up against just about anyone. Ashley - as just a freshman - gladly assumed the role of our 'spark plug' in the leadoff role and was deft defensively in center. They are both very deserving."