The University of Mississippi Athletics
Grill Becomes Rebels' First Softball First Team All-American
5/28/2008 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. Ole Miss sophomore Lauren Grill was named first team All-America by Louisville Slugger and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), it was announced on Wednesday. Grill is the first player in school history to earn first-team All-America honors.
The Tualatin, Ore., native led the Rebels with a .393 batting average, 35 runs scored, 12 doubles, 12 homers, 41 RBI, a .727 slugging percentage and a .497 on-base percentage. In addition, Grill finished in the top 10 in the SEC in batting, homers, slugging, on-base percentage, total bases and walks. She set single-season school records in batting, total bases, slugging, on-base percentage and walks.
"It is an amazing accomplishment for Lauren and the Ole Miss softball program," said head coach Missy Dickerson. "It is a tremendous honor to be the first first team All-American in school history. My hat's off to her for an outstanding season. I am thankful that she was recognized for her hard work."
"This feels great," Grill said. "I am just overwhelmed with excitement. This is such a great honor and I can't wait for next season."
The sophomore played shortstop and third base for the Rebels this season and was selected as the designated player/non-pitcher on the first team. She also received first team All-South honors from the NFCA. She is the second player in school history to receive All-America honors, joining Jennifer Poore, who was named second-team All-American by Easton in 2001.
Grill's 41 RBI this season ranks second on the school's single-season list and her 72 RBI after just two seasons ranks third on the Rebel career list. Her 12 long balls this year were the fourth-most in school history and her 26 round-trippers after two years places her second in Ole Miss history behind DeDe Justice.
Grill was also named second-team All-SEC by the league's coaches and earned SEC Player of the Week honors (4/14) after batting .417 and hitting the game-winning homers against No. 12 LSU and No. 24 Mississippi State.
