NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State utility player E.C. Delafield was selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-South Third team, the organization announced Thursday.
 
Delafield is just the ninth Lady Demon to be picked to the prestigious All-Region team, the first since Cayla Jones in 2018.
 
The Stonewall native excelled at the plate and in the circle in what was her final NSU season after she graduated this May.
 
"It's really hard to be both a great hitter and pitcher because of the work that's required every day," said Pickett, who has coached five of NSU's nine region honorees. "You're throwing bullpens, and then you put in a lot of work in the cages and at the plate, too.
 
"She always put in the work and the time, and we're really proud of her. She's a great kid, a great player and a great young lady that will excel at whatever she does."
 
Delafield embraced the leadoff role this season, leading the team with a .331 batting average with 22 RBIs, eight doubles and two home runs.
 
The junior helped NSU to a first-round bye in the Southland Conference Tournament as a No. 4 seed and the was winning pitcher in both of the Lady Demons tournament wins.
 
She finished with a 12-5 record with a 2.14 ERA and 99 strikeouts to 28 walks in 127 2/3 innings pitched. Opponents batted .225 off her.
 
"E.C. had a great year, and she was our most consistent hitter," Pickett said. "We moved her up to the top of the lineup, and she thrived in the new role.
 
"She helped win a lot of ball games, and she gave us a chance in that tournament."
 
Delafield joins an illustrious short list of NSU players to make an All-South Region team.
 
Jones (2018), Annie Johnston (2002) and Rhonda Rube (1991) were all first-team selections, meaning that were eligible for All-America honors.
 
Delafield's name will be next to Rube (1992), Kellye Kincannon (2014, 2015), Becca Allen (1997), Misty Carraway (1997), Tara McKenney (2014) and Mikayla Brown (2015) as selections to the second or third team.
 
Delafield is just the second pitcher (along with Brown) to be named to the All-Region squad.
 
2021 NFCA DI All-Region South
 
First Team
P          Montana Fouts, Alabama
P          Mary Haff, Arkansas
P          Hope Trautwein, North Texas
C          Bailey Hemphill, Alabama
1B        Danielle Gibson, Arkansas
2B        Kelly Horne, Troy
3B        Meredith Keel, South Alabama
SS        Braxton Burnside, Arkansas
OF        Alexis Mack, Alabama
OF        Aliyah Andrews, LSU
OF        Jenna Wildeman, Central Arkansas
Ut/P    Makinzy Herzog, Texas A&M
DP/UT Carter Spexarth, Miss. State
 
Second Team
P          Leanna Johnson, Troy
P          Ali Kilponen, LSU
C          Haley Lee, Texas A&M
1B        Kaylee Tow, Alabama
2B        Venessa Gallegos, FIU
3B        Hannah Gammill, Arkansas
SS        Taylor Pleasants, LSU
OF        Elissa Brown, Alabama
OF        Tuesday DerMargosian, North Texas
OF        Brea Dickey, Kennesaw State
UT/P    Shlebi Sunseri, LSU
DP/UT Linnie Malkin, Arkansas
 
Third Team
P          Olivia Lackie, South Alabama
P          Lexi Kilfoyl, Alabama
C          Mia Davidson, Miss. State
1B        Fa Leilua, Miss. State
2B        Savannah Woodard, Alabama
3B        Amanda Doyle, LSU
SS        Daisy Hess, Georgia State
OF        Hannah McEwen, Arkansas
OF        Jade Sinness, Troy
OF        KB Sides, Alabama
UT/P    E.C. Delafield, Northwestern State
DP/UT Jayden Mount, ULM