Photo by: Courtesy Ryan Gunter | Gardner-Webb University
Katie Prebble Named NFCA All-American
May 30, 2018 | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After a historic freshman season, Gardner-Webb first baseman Katie Prebble was named a Third-Team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association today.
Prebble (Pomfret, Md./St. Mary's Ryken) was named the At-Large First Baseman on the third team. Players receiving an at-large spot on one of the three All-American teams were nominated by regional representatives.
"I am so happy for Katie Prebble and the entire Gardner-Webb softball program," said head coach Tom Cole. "Katie demonstrated her exceptional talent and ability this entire year, but it was a combination of her God-given talent and her God-given work ethic that allowed her to achieve the successes that she had. "
"Also, as deserving as Katie is, if her teammates did not perform as well as they did, and the team did not win the games that we won, even though Katie has stats that are among the best in the nation, she still would not have been recognized as an All-American," continued Cole. "I sincerely hope that everyone realizes the magnitude and the scope of this award. Congratulations to Katie and the entire Gardner-Webb softball team. We are all very blessed."
Prebble, the Big South Conference Player and Freshman of the Year, was named a First-Team Mid-Atlantic Region selection on May 17th and was also a top-10 finalist for the NFCA/Shutt Sports Freshman of the Year award.
Prebble came to Gardner-Webb and immediately made her presence known. The first basemen broke Big South Conference and GWU records alike, and led Gardner-Webb to a 29-29 (.500) overall record, which was last done in 2012 when the Runnin' Bulldogs played 56 games and won half.
In the Gardner-Webb record book, Prebble finds herself among the career leaders in three categories. After just one season in Boiling Springs, she is currently second in career batting average (.438), second in career home runs (23) and fifth in fielding percentage (.983).
Prebble gained recognition with her home run hitting this season, breaking the Gardner-Webb single-season record with her 13th home run of the season, in a 12-9 win against conference foe Campbell. Just one month later, she broke the Big South Conference's freshman home run record.
The Pomfret, Maryland native made headlines when she hit three home runs in a game against ETSU, accounting for all six runs batted in in the 'Dogs' 6-3 win over the Bucs at the 15th Annual Georgia Classic.
Prebble is the single-season record holder for the Runnin' Bulldogs in five categories – RBIs (71), home runs (23), extra base hits (35), total bases (154) and slugging percentage (.963). Additionally, she sits atop the charts with Andria Booth in most runs scored in a season with 50 and with Weslyn Almond in walks drawn with 29.
In a three-game series at Liberty (March 30-31), Prebble went 3-for-8 with a pair of runs batted in and broke the single-season RBIs record, as well as the total bases single-season record.
At the end of the regular season, Prebble earned a number of awards from the Big South. In addition to her two "of the year" awards, she was named a First-Team All-Conference member and an All-Freshman team member.
Over the course of the 2018 season, Prebble earned five Freshman of the Week awards from the conference office – including three consecutive – and one Player of the Week honor.
Among the BSC stats leaders for 2018, Prebble finished in the top 10 in 11 categories and led in five. Concerning per game statistics, Prebble topped the conference in home runs and RBIs per game.
Nationally, Prebble ended her freshman season tied with Towson's Brooke Miko for the most runs batted in per game (1.25) and was third in the nation in a trio of categories – RBIs, home runs per game and total bases.
For the latest Gardner-Webb softball news, follow @GWUSoftball on twitter or visit www.gwusports.com.
Prebble (Pomfret, Md./St. Mary's Ryken) was named the At-Large First Baseman on the third team. Players receiving an at-large spot on one of the three All-American teams were nominated by regional representatives.
"I am so happy for Katie Prebble and the entire Gardner-Webb softball program," said head coach Tom Cole. "Katie demonstrated her exceptional talent and ability this entire year, but it was a combination of her God-given talent and her God-given work ethic that allowed her to achieve the successes that she had. "
"Also, as deserving as Katie is, if her teammates did not perform as well as they did, and the team did not win the games that we won, even though Katie has stats that are among the best in the nation, she still would not have been recognized as an All-American," continued Cole. "I sincerely hope that everyone realizes the magnitude and the scope of this award. Congratulations to Katie and the entire Gardner-Webb softball team. We are all very blessed."
Prebble, the Big South Conference Player and Freshman of the Year, was named a First-Team Mid-Atlantic Region selection on May 17th and was also a top-10 finalist for the NFCA/Shutt Sports Freshman of the Year award.
Prebble came to Gardner-Webb and immediately made her presence known. The first basemen broke Big South Conference and GWU records alike, and led Gardner-Webb to a 29-29 (.500) overall record, which was last done in 2012 when the Runnin' Bulldogs played 56 games and won half.
In the Gardner-Webb record book, Prebble finds herself among the career leaders in three categories. After just one season in Boiling Springs, she is currently second in career batting average (.438), second in career home runs (23) and fifth in fielding percentage (.983).
Prebble gained recognition with her home run hitting this season, breaking the Gardner-Webb single-season record with her 13th home run of the season, in a 12-9 win against conference foe Campbell. Just one month later, she broke the Big South Conference's freshman home run record.
The Pomfret, Maryland native made headlines when she hit three home runs in a game against ETSU, accounting for all six runs batted in in the 'Dogs' 6-3 win over the Bucs at the 15th Annual Georgia Classic.
Prebble is the single-season record holder for the Runnin' Bulldogs in five categories – RBIs (71), home runs (23), extra base hits (35), total bases (154) and slugging percentage (.963). Additionally, she sits atop the charts with Andria Booth in most runs scored in a season with 50 and with Weslyn Almond in walks drawn with 29.
In a three-game series at Liberty (March 30-31), Prebble went 3-for-8 with a pair of runs batted in and broke the single-season RBIs record, as well as the total bases single-season record.
At the end of the regular season, Prebble earned a number of awards from the Big South. In addition to her two "of the year" awards, she was named a First-Team All-Conference member and an All-Freshman team member.
Over the course of the 2018 season, Prebble earned five Freshman of the Week awards from the conference office – including three consecutive – and one Player of the Week honor.
Among the BSC stats leaders for 2018, Prebble finished in the top 10 in 11 categories and led in five. Concerning per game statistics, Prebble topped the conference in home runs and RBIs per game.
Nationally, Prebble ended her freshman season tied with Towson's Brooke Miko for the most runs batted in per game (1.25) and was third in the nation in a trio of categories – RBIs, home runs per game and total bases.
For the latest Gardner-Webb softball news, follow @GWUSoftball on twitter or visit www.gwusports.com.
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