ISU's Hamilton named NFCA All-Region First Team

[May 18, 2012]  STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Junior Jhavon Hamilton was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Mideast Region First Team, as announced by the NFCA Friday afternoon. Friday's selection marks the first career all-region first-team honor for Hamilton, as she was named to the NFCA All-Mideast Region Second Team last season.

Hamilton leads the Redbirds this season with 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, 56 hits and a .575 slugging percentage. The Joliet, Ill., native was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team last weekend at the annual MVC awards banquet, prior to the State Farm MVC Softball Championship. Hamilton is hitting .309 this season and ranks second on the squad with eight doubles and 10 stolen bases.

Hamilton was one of four Valley players selected to the NFCA All-Mideast Region squad, as she was joined by Bradley's Madeline Lynch-Crumrine on the first team. Evansville's Kayla Fortner and Southern Illinois' Mallory Duran-Sellers were named to the second team.

Illinois State will open NCAA regional play Friday against No. 9 overall seed and host Missouri at 6:30 p.m.

[Text from news release received from Lauren McLaughlin, graduate assistant, athletics communications, Illinois State University]