“Huge boost” as two key brilliant NIU Huskies stars Collect NFCA All-Region Honors

Erickson was chosen to the First Team, and Stewart was recognized as a repeat member of the Third Team. The NIU softball program has had two honorees over the past three seasons.

This season, Erickson was the only Huskie to start every 52 games. He began the season at shortstop before emerging as the team’s starting centerfielder. Erickson leads the Huskies in hits, doubles, and home runs with a.391 batting average, 68 hits, 21 doubles, and nine home runs. With 21 doubles, Erickson and Katie Keller (2019) are tied for second place in the record for most doubles in a single season. Erickson went on a 17-game hitting streak from Central Michigan on March 16 to Toledo on April 13.

Stewart, a formidable pitcher in the circle, made 25 appearances for the Huskies this season while maintaining a 2.54 ERA. Stewart held opponents to a.211 average while recording eight complete games, two shutout wins, and 117 strikeouts. On April 26th, against Bowling Green, Stewart threw her first no-hitter, the first one for the Huskie program in seven innings since 2006.

Stewart, on the other hand, led the Huskies with a batting average of.344, 45 hits, 28 runs, 12 doubles, six stolen bases, and seven home runs. In addition, on April 10 versus Bradley, Stewart recorded her first-ever grand slam.

Together, they were recognized earlier this month as the All-MAC First Team.

376 student-athletes from 160 programs received awards from the NFCA. Fourteen awardees represented the Mid-American Conference. First, second, and third team selections among softball student-athletes from the Association’s ten regions are recognized with these prizes. Head coaches who are members of the NFCA in each region nominated student-athletes (up to a maximum of eight) and cast votes for the teams. All recognized student-athletes are now qualified to be included in the NFCA Division I All-America teams for 2024.