Rachel Ripley Earns NCCAA National Honor

2018 Apr 10

McMurry University junior firstbaseman Rachel Ripley of Gustine, TX has been named as the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Softball-Position Player Student-Athlete of the Week, it was announced by the national office.

Ripley had a banner week for the War Hawks' first-year softball program, that went 2-1 last week. Ripley lived up to her name, as she "ripped" six of her seven hits (in 10 at-bats) on the week for extra-bases. In Sunday's single game vs. Howard Payne, Ripley was 3-for-3...all doubles...with three RBI (including the game-winner). She hit safely in each of McM's three games last week.

On the week, Ripley had five doubles and a triple, driving in six runs and scoring four times. She had a .700 batting average, a 1.400 slugging percentage and an on-base average of .750. She scored four runs and drove in six, along with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 18 chances.

In the NCCAA stats, she ranks No. 7 in RBI, with 34. In 2018, Ripley leads the McMurry team with a .371 batting average, a .680 slugging percentage and a .404 on-base average. She has 17 extra-base hits, including nine doubles, three triples and five home runs and, all team-leading numbers, as well.

"I am super-proud of Rachel and all that she has accomplished," McM head coach David McNally said. "And I look forward to many more successes that she will bring to McMurry Softball.

"As we created this program, we have had a lot of 'firsts' and Rachel has been a great part of many of those in our program's growing process. She is a perfect example of what we want to establish for our program here in Abilene. Rachel - along with many others on our roster - are setting the standard for what we are looking for in a McMurry University Softball player and seek to Develop Champions for Life."