One of the finest ACU softball players in school history earned two first-team all-region selections this week as senior
Jessica Shiery was named to the NFCA and DakTronics all-South Central Region teams.
Shiery finished 2009 with a .429 batting average, 13 home runs in 49 RBI. However, on top of that, she was treated like Barry Bonds at the plate all season as she drew a school record and NCAA Division II-leading 70 walks on the season. Eight teams are left in the softball world series, but it is likely that Shiery will also finish in the top five in the nation in on-base percentage finishing with a .619 mark.
For her two-year career, Shiery played 119 games, hit .435, belted 25 home runs and drove in 93 runs. As a junior she drew a school record 53 walks, and as a senior passed her own record in a big way drawing 17 more walks a senior and she tallied 123 over two seasons. The Lone Star Conference career record for walks is now shared by Shiery and Angelo State’s Cat Moreno. Moreno also drew 123 walks in only two seasons from 2003-04.
She transferred from the College of the Siskiyous and the University of Utah before finishing her collegiate career with the Wildcats. She was a two-time all-LSC South Division first-team selection including Newcomer of the Year in 2008 and Player of the Year in 2009.
“Jessica has been an invaluable member to the softball program,” said ACU head coach
Chantiel Wilson. “She has been recognized at the conference, regional and national level as an extremely talented player. She has conducted herself as a true leader both mentally and physically. We are honored to have had Jessica at ACU for two years and to finish her outstanding career.”
Shiery is also the only first-team all-America selection in school history after earning those honors in 2008. With her two first-team all-region selections, she will be eligible for all-America honors again in 2009.
Her other career numbers include 37 doubles, 93 runs scored, a .797 slugging percentage and just 25 strikeouts at the plate in two seasons. Behind the plate defensively, she tossed out 21 runners and committed only seven errors.
In two years with Shiery on the team, she helped ACU to a 77-42 record, two LSC Championship series appearances and two NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament appearances. In 2009, ACU won a school record 43 games before Missouri Western eliminated the Wildcats May 9.
The NFCA all-region team is sponsored by Louisville Slugger and voted on by NCAA Division II head coaches while the DakTronics all-region team is vote on by sports information directors.
“We are extremely proud of her accomplishments. She has set a lot of firsts in the program's history and we hope that she continues to be successful with her future,” said Wilson. “She has always been very determined and committed to achieving her goals on the field. Shiery's awards and recognitions are well deserved.”