Missouri Western softball players Jackie Bishop and Tiffany Gillaspy have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Central Region First team which was released Thursday afternoon. his year’s squads are comprised of 207 players from 102 schools across eight NFCA regions with first and second teams selected for each region. Both players were also named to the Daktronics First Team All-Region squad earlier this week with Bishop being named Daktronics Central Region Pitcher of the Year.
Bishop is completed one of the most successful playing careers in Missouri Western softball history. The Kirksville, Mo., native is a four-time First Team All-MIAA selection, two time MIAA Pitcher of the Year (2012-2014), four-time First Team All-Region recipient and an All-American selection in 2012. Bishop was also the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2011. Bishop holds MWSU softball career records for wins (96), strikeouts (977), innings pitched (828.0), appearances (142) complete games (105) and shutouts (29). Additionally the two-time MIAA Pitcher of the Year holds MWSU single-season records for strikeouts (291) and shutouts (12) and is an integral member of a senior class that went 159-62 in its time dawning the Black and Gold. This season, the right-handed pitcher finished with a 26-10 overall record with a 1.36 ERA. The 26 wins is the most she had in a single season. She finished leading the MIAA with 291 strikeouts. She pitched 31 complete games with 12 shutouts and two saves this season. She gave up just 4.4 hits per games while striking out 8.3 per game. She threw three no-hitters this season and four in her career. She was named the MIAA AstroTurf Pitcher of the Week four times this season and 11 times in her career.
Gillaspy topped off an impressive junior campaign being named first team All-Region and first team All-MIAA for the first time in her career. Gillaspy a two-time MIAA AstroTurf Hitter of the Week finished her season getting a hit in 23 of her last 25 games and had an 19 game hitting streak during that run. She also hit safely in 45 of the Griffons 57 games this season. She finished the season leading the Griffons and was in the top-10 in the MIAA in batting average (.390), hits (73), doubles (13), home runs (13), RBI (60), total bases (125) and slugging percentage (.668). Gillaspy was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection a in 2013. She had double digit hits in 21 games including going 4-for-4 against Central Missouri on March 14. She has also had five RBI in a game three times and hit two home runs and a double against Lincoln on April 12. On the final day of the season she went 4-for-7 with two runs scored, four RBI a double and a home run in the NCAA Central Regional.
The Griffons finished their season 39-18 overall and won their first ever MIAA Tournament Championship going 4-0 and outscoring their opponents 41-9. They Griffons have won 30+ games in four straight seasons.
NFCA member coaches in the eight regions selected this year’s All-Region teams and all honorees now become eligible for selection to one of three NFCA Division II All-American squads to be announced the night of Wed., May 21.
— MWSU Sports Information —