NFCA All-Region Teams

WINONA, Minn. — Mariah Harper (Schaumburg, Ill.) saved her best for last.
 
And while her career year on the field ended with the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota fastpitch softball team's sweep of Augsburg on May 3, Harper's career year off the field is in full swing.
 
Harper posted career highs in virtually every offensive category in helping the Cardinals to a 22-16 overall record—and Monday, the Cardinal senior earned another career first, as she was named to the NFCA All-Midwest Region First Team.
 
It's the second post-season honor of the day for the senior outfielder, who earned her first-ever All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First-Team selection earlier in the day.
 
Harper started all 38 games for the Cardinals, hitting a team- and career-best .390—nearly 90 points higher than her previous career-high .308 average posted during her sophomore season in 2014. Harper collected 41 hits in 105 at-bats, with seven doubles, three triples, her first collegiate home run, 20 RBIs, 57 total bases, a .543 slugging percentage and a .467 on-base percentage.
 
Harper, who compiled 15 multiple-hit games, was hit by a pitch nine times this season—and a school-record 17 times in her four-year career.
 
Harper was one of three players from the MIAC named to the All-Midwest Region First team, joining St. Thomas pitcher Kierstin Anderson-Glass and St. Catherine shortstop Roby Rohr.
 
All-Region players are nominated and selected by NFCA member coaches in each of the eight Division III regions. First team All-Region choices are eligible for selection to the NFCA All-America team, which will be announced the evening of May 25 at the NCAA Division III Championship banquet in Salem, Va.