Nevins: Second-team All-American

Posted May 30, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated May 30, 2012 at 09:54 PM

On the eve of USF’s first appearance at the Women’s College World Series at Oklahoma City, Bulls sophmore pitcher Sara Nevins was named second-team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Nevins, a left-hander from Pinellas Park High School, is 31-6 with a 1.03 ERA. She has a school-record 323 strikeouts. She was a six-time Big East Conference player of the week this season (although relegated to the All-Big East second team). She is the most compelling factor for the Bulls (50-12), who faced No. 4-ranked Oklahoma in the WCWS opener on Thursday afternoon.

There are dozens of memorable moments from Nevins’ standout season. But the best moment for USF coach Ken Eriksen—and probably every other USF softball fan—was her sixth-inning performance against the University of Florida at the Gainesville Regional. Nevins worked out of a bases-loaded, none-out jam to help preserve a 1-0 victory that sent USF to the Super Regionals.

“I was really amazed at what she did there in Gainesville,’’ Eriksen said. “That was some of the best pitching I’ve seen in a crucial situation. I was thoroughly impressed.

“Now I’ve been around some great pitchers. Lisa Fernandez impressed me. Cat Osterman impressed me. Jennie Finch impressed me. And Sara Nevins certainly impressed me. She deserves any kind of national recognition she can get.’‘