SAN MARCOS, Texas –  Three Bobcats were awarded NFCA All-Region Honors this season, with Sara Vanderford and Jessica Mullins being named First Team All-Region, and Hannah Earls being named Second Team.
 
This is the fourth All-Region selection for Mullins, the second for Vanderford and first for Earls. Mullins has won the award each of her years as a Bobcat, Vanderford's first award came in 2022, her junior season.
 
The awards honor softball student-athletes from the NFCA's 10 regions with first, second and third-team selections. NFCA member head coaches from each respective region nominated student-athletes (eight maximum) and voted for the teams. All awarded student-athletes now become eligible for the 2024 NFCA Division I All-America squads.
 
This is the first season since 2018 that the Bobcats have had three all-region award recipients in the same year. 
 
Vanderford had a lights-out year behind the bats as she had a .360 average so far this season including 62 hits, 43 runs and 48 RBI. 36 of her hits were for extra bases as she tallied 24 doubles and 11 home runs this season, with one triple. Her 24 doubles are a Texas State single-season record in the category as Vanderford extended her title in the career category too, with 76 now in her career. Her 11 home runs helped her to a season .703 slugging percentage as well.
 
Mullins had another outstanding year for the Texas State Bobcats. She had 44 appearances for the Bobcats where she pitched 17 complete games with a 1.31 ERA through the 229.1 innings pitched. She struck out 213 batters so far this season. Mullins was also the first pitcher to reach 30 wins this season, as she leads the nation in pitching victories. Her 1.31 ERA this season is also among the top-10 in the nation as the senior pitcher was named a top-26 finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the year and Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year.
 
Earls was a staple in the lead off spot for the Bobcats this year with her team-leading .366 batting average. She tallied 74 hits this season while scoring 37 runs and batting in 12 runners. That, paired with her 17 stolen bases, was among the best on the team. That, paired with her impressive showing at shortstop with 88 putouts and 85 assists this season, she was able to earn herself First Team All-Sun Belt in addition to her NFCA honors.
 
Vanderford, Mullins, Earls and the rest of the Bobcats will start their run in the NCAA Tournament tomorrow, May 17th, at the College Station Regional. The Bobcats will face Penn State at 3 p.m. (CT).