Williamson Earns NFCA Division II All-American Status

Williamson Earns NFCA Division II All-American Status

LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Coker College softball's Maria Williamson was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II All-American Third Team At-Large at first base for her performance on the season and in the Southeast Regional two weeks ago, as announced by the NFCA on Wednesday, May 23.

In the 2018 season, Williamson was named to the SAC preseason first-team, first-team All-Conference, the SAC All-Tournament Team, the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Southeast Region Second Team, the NFCA All-Southeast Region First Team, and was tabbed SAC AstroTurf Player of the Week in mid-February.

"I'm extremely proud of Maria and what she was able to accomplish this year," comments Coker head softball coach, Travis McCall. "Maria's on-field production and what she brings to our team speaks for itself. Having an All-American in consecutive years really shows how far we've come as a program. This award couldn't go to a better person or player! I'm very thankful I have the chance to coach her."

Through her junior season, she ranks highly in many categories in the Coker records. Williamson is tied for fourth in home runs, fifth in runners batted in, and sixth in hits. For this season alone, she sits third in walks, eighth in hits, and ninth in RBI in Coker single season records. In the SAC, the Laurens, S.C. native finished first in batting average and on base percentage, tied first in hits, and second in total bases.

Williamson is Coker softball's second All-American since Missy Paterson in 1999, and the seventh All-American in Cobra softball history. The Navy and Gold have placed a player on an All-American team for the second consecutive year as Tayler Barcomb earned D2CCA All-American honors last season.

"I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present," says Williamson. "This is such an honor and something that I have worked very hard for. I wouldn't have been able to accomplish this without the coaches I've had here at Coker, my parents, and all my teammates. They have pushed me to become a better player and person."

The education major is the daughter of Jenny and L.E Williamson.