Indiana University Athletics
Trio of Hoosiers Garner NFCA All-America Nods
5/31/2023 5:00:00 PM | Softball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A trio of Indiana softball players collected All-American honors after the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released their All-American teams on Wednesday evening. Freshman second baseman Taryn Kern was named a Second-Team All-American with sophomore duo pitcher Brianna Copeland and designated player Taylor Minnick earning Third Team All-America nods.
"This announcement shows the strength of our team with two thirds of our lineup representing All-Region honors and now a third being selected as All-Americans," head coach Shonda Stanton said. "It's a tremendous honor for Brianna, Taryn and Taylor who put up game-changing individual performances propelling Team 50 to a record-breaking season."
The three honorees represent the most All-American selections in a season for the Hoosiers. This marks six All-Americans under coach Stanton, who mentored three during her time at Marshall in Morgan Zerkle, Jordan Dixon and Rachel Folden who was a four-time All-American.
In addition, Indiana is one of three schools, including Tennessee and Washington, to have three All-American selections.
Kern led the Hoosier's offense with a .404 batting average, 63 hits, 13 doubles, 23 home runs, tied for second most in the nation, and 68 RBI. Kern boasted an impressive 1.520 OPS along with 45 walks and 23 hit by pitches reaching base in 57 out of 62 games with a 47-game streak. The All-American second baseman was on top of the leaderboard for Big Ten in eight offensive categories: slugging percentage (.942), home runs (23), RBI (68), walks (45), hit by pitch (23), runs scored (68), on base percentage (.578) and OPS (1.520).
The San Jose, California, native was named Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Year, in addition to being named to the All-Big Ten First Team and Freshmen Team. Kern a finalist for the NFCA Freshman of the Year was also named to the USA Top 25 watch list. Taryn finished her rookie season breaking four single season records in runs scored, home runs, RBI, and slugging percentage.
Copeland, one of the best two-way players in the country, posted a 22-4 record in the circle with 28 starts in 47 appearances recording 148 strikeouts. The Pelham, Ala., native threw her first career no-hitter, propelling her to a 15-game win streak.
Copeland blasted 14 home runs with a .318 batting average driving in 48 runs and swiping 13 bags on the season. Brianna's performance led the Hoosiers to the Big Ten Championship game and earned herself a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. The two-way player rounded out her accolades being named to the NFCA All-Region First Team and garnered Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Minnick earns Third Team All-American honors after boasting a .390 batting average with 14 doubles, 12 home runs and 62 hits in 61 games. She plated an impressive 55 runs posting a .717 slugging percentage, .522 on base percentage leading to a 1.239 OPS. One of the toughest to strikeout in the nation, the All-American slugger struck out a mere 11 times in 205 plate appearances reaching base in 50 games with a 36-game streak.
The Bloomington, Ind., native ranked top-four in the Big Ten in six offensive categories: batting average (.390), slugging percentage (.717), on base percentage (.522), OPS (1.239), RBI (55) and walks (36). Minnick earned All-Big Ten First Team honors, was named to the 2023 Big Ten All-Tournament Team and was selected to the NFCA All-Region First Team.
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"This announcement shows the strength of our team with two thirds of our lineup representing All-Region honors and now a third being selected as All-Americans," head coach Shonda Stanton said. "It's a tremendous honor for Brianna, Taryn and Taylor who put up game-changing individual performances propelling Team 50 to a record-breaking season."
The three honorees represent the most All-American selections in a season for the Hoosiers. This marks six All-Americans under coach Stanton, who mentored three during her time at Marshall in Morgan Zerkle, Jordan Dixon and Rachel Folden who was a four-time All-American.
In addition, Indiana is one of three schools, including Tennessee and Washington, to have three All-American selections.
Kern led the Hoosier's offense with a .404 batting average, 63 hits, 13 doubles, 23 home runs, tied for second most in the nation, and 68 RBI. Kern boasted an impressive 1.520 OPS along with 45 walks and 23 hit by pitches reaching base in 57 out of 62 games with a 47-game streak. The All-American second baseman was on top of the leaderboard for Big Ten in eight offensive categories: slugging percentage (.942), home runs (23), RBI (68), walks (45), hit by pitch (23), runs scored (68), on base percentage (.578) and OPS (1.520).
The San Jose, California, native was named Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Year, in addition to being named to the All-Big Ten First Team and Freshmen Team. Kern a finalist for the NFCA Freshman of the Year was also named to the USA Top 25 watch list. Taryn finished her rookie season breaking four single season records in runs scored, home runs, RBI, and slugging percentage.
Copeland, one of the best two-way players in the country, posted a 22-4 record in the circle with 28 starts in 47 appearances recording 148 strikeouts. The Pelham, Ala., native threw her first career no-hitter, propelling her to a 15-game win streak.
Copeland blasted 14 home runs with a .318 batting average driving in 48 runs and swiping 13 bags on the season. Brianna's performance led the Hoosiers to the Big Ten Championship game and earned herself a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. The two-way player rounded out her accolades being named to the NFCA All-Region First Team and garnered Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Minnick earns Third Team All-American honors after boasting a .390 batting average with 14 doubles, 12 home runs and 62 hits in 61 games. She plated an impressive 55 runs posting a .717 slugging percentage, .522 on base percentage leading to a 1.239 OPS. One of the toughest to strikeout in the nation, the All-American slugger struck out a mere 11 times in 205 plate appearances reaching base in 50 games with a 36-game streak.
The Bloomington, Ind., native ranked top-four in the Big Ten in six offensive categories: batting average (.390), slugging percentage (.717), on base percentage (.522), OPS (1.239), RBI (55) and walks (36). Minnick earned All-Big Ten First Team honors, was named to the 2023 Big Ten All-Tournament Team and was selected to the NFCA All-Region First Team.
@IndianaSB
For all the latest on Indiana University softball, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaSB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
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