MIAMI – Freshman Isabella Perez was honored with first team All-Conference USA status to highlight a total of three freshman members of the FIU softball team, who received postseason honors from the conference on Tuesday.
 
Perez, who became the first Panther to earn All-Conference USA first team status since 2018, was joined by fellow rookie Ella Whitney, who earned second team All-CUSA status. 
 
Perez was recognized as a catcher, while Whitney was listed as an infielder.
 
In addition, both Perez and Whitney were joined by pitcher Megan Kruger on the All-Conference USA Freshman Team.
 
Perez is the eighth first team All-CUSA honoree in program history since FIU joined the league in 2014.
 
Perez currently ranks ninth nationally and leads Conference USA with a total of 16 runners caught stealing.  Opposing baserunners have been successful just 52.6 percent of the time vs. FIU this season. 
 
The Panthers have allowed a conference low 20 stolen bases against this season. Perez opened her collegiate career by tossing out five of the first six baserunners who attempted to steal against her.
 
She also leads FIU with 22 RBI, which ranks 23rd among C-USA leaders and ranks second on squad with .323 batting average - which ranks 19th in C-USA.
 
Whitney, who leads FIU with a .363 batting average (eighth in CUSA) - saw time at first base, designated hitter and pitcher this season.
 
She put together a FIU record consecutive hit streak that spanned eight at bats after she went a perfect 4-for-4 in back-to-back games at Charlotte (3/11) and vs. Louisiana Tech (3/17).
 
The eight consecutive hits shattered previous the FIU program record of six consecutive at bats with a hit, which had been accomplished five times previously by four different players – most recently in 2005 by Tabitha Embry and Brook Ruiz.
 
Defensively, she has committed just one error in 112 chances - tied for second fewest in C-USA.
 
Kruger tossed the first no-hitter for the FIU since the 2016 season during the Panthers' over Stonehill College on March 3.  Kruger's no hitter was the first for FIU since March 5, 2016 when Megan Kuglemann pulled it off vs. Florida A&M – a span of 329 games. She has tossed five complete games and one shutout this season.
 
Her five complete games are tied for 10th-most in C-USA and 2.84 ERA is 16th-lowest in the conference.

2023 C-USA Softball All-Conference Award Winners
 
Player of the Year
Sierra Frazier, UAB
 
Pitcher of the Year
Gabby Sacco, Florida Atlantic
 
Freshman of the Year
Allie Floyd, LA Tech
 
Newcomer of the Year
Sam Gress, Charlotte
 
Coach of the Year
A.J. Daugherty, UAB
 
All-Conference USA First Team
C: Isabella Perez, FIU
C: Sierra Frazier, UAB
DP/UT: Ashleigh Washington, Charlotte
IF: Kassidy Krupit, Charlotte
IF: Laura Mealer, Middle Tennessee
IF: Kailey Gamble, North Texas
IF: Cierra Simon, North Texas
IF: TJ Webster, WKU
OF: Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
OF: Sierra Sacco, LA Tech
OF: Taylor Davis, WKU
OF: Faith Hegh, WKU
P: Sam Gress, Charlotte
P: Gabby Sacco, Florida Atlantic
P: Ashley Peters, North Texas
 
All-Conference USA Second Team
C: Olivia Peterson, Florida Atlantic
C: Kalei Christensen, North Texas
DP/UT: Olivia Valbak, UAB
IF: Ella Whitney, FIU
IF: Shelby Echols, Middle Tennessee
IF: Julia Garcia, Middle Tennessee
IF: Mikayla Smith, North Texas
IF: Kat Ibarra, UTSA
OF: Kylie Neel, LA Tech
OF: Amaya Harris, Middle Tennessee
OF: Bella Wiggins, UAB
OF: Savannah Favre, UTEP
P: Gretchen Mead, Middle Tennessee
P: McKenzie Wagoner, North Texas
P: Leigha Kirby, UAB
 
Conference USA All-Freshman Team
Lena Elkins, Charlotte
Savanna Nguyen, Charlotte
Lexi Winters, Charlotte
Megan Kruger, FIU
Isabella Perez, FIU
Ella Whitney, FIU
Allie Floyd, LA Tech
Mary Martinez, LA Tech
Ansley Blevins, Middle Tennessee
Tatum Sparks, North Texas
Hannah Miles, UAB
Caitlin Russell, UAB
Kaytlan Kemp, WKU

 
UP NEXT
The Panthers open the 2023 Conference USA Championship on Wednesday, May 10 vs. No. 5 seed Western Kentucky at 3:30 p.m. ET.  The game will be aired live on ESPN+ from Ruston, La. 
 
FIU enters the conference tournament as the No. 8 seed and is making their first appearance since 2018.
 
TICKETS
For more information on FIU Softball season and individual tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office.
 
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