RIPON, Wisconsin – The awards keep rolling in for Kayla Cruz, as the sophomore Ripon softball standout was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Third-Team All-Region selection as announced by the organization on Friday.
 
The Anaheim, California native becomes Ripon's second-consecutive NFCA All-Region pick after Abby Gilbertson was also on the third team last season.
 
Cruz was the table-setter for Ripon throughout the 2024 campaign, and just last week was named an All-Midwest Conference first team choice. The sophomore put together a 16-game hitting streak from April 10 until May 1 and had 16 multi-hit games (out of 33 played). She was third in the Midwest Conference in batting average (.460) and set a program record with 17 doubles, leading the entire league. She was also top-five in the MWC in a host of categories: OPS (fourth - 1.125), hits (fourth - 52), slugging percentage (fourth - .637) and on-base percentage (fifth - .488).
 
In addition, Cruz led Ripon in every offensive category – OPS, hits, doubles, home runs (1), RBI (25), total bases (72), slugging percentage and on-base percentage. 2024 marks the eighth consecutive season with an All-Midwest Conference performer for the Red Hawks, and the third-straight season Ripon had a first-team all-league player.
 
Ripon completed its 2024 season with an 11-25 record and a 5-11 mark playing a difficult conference and non-conference schedule.
 
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