By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University softball player Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) has been chosen Second Team All-Region X by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for the 2023 season. DeLuca was selected as a designated player/utility player as she contributed as a catcher and a designated player throughout the season.

The 2023 All-Region X Softball Team recognized a total of 37 players for their efforts this spring. The First Team included 13 players, with 12 players each on the Second Team and the Third Team.

Willamette completed the 2023 season with a 16-22 record, including an 11-17 mark (5th place tie) in the Northwest Conference. Four Bearcat hit better than .330 while starting more than 20 games. Willamette's pitchers struck out a total of 183 batters in 249 innings.

Second Team All-Region X

Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) was named Second Team All-Region X for the first time. Earlier this spring, she was named First Team All-NWC after earning Honorable Mention All-NWC recognition in 2022.

This season, DeLuca led Willamette with a .426 batting average, a .481 on-base percentage, and a .678 slugging percentage. She also ranked first on the team with 38 RBIs, 17 doubles, 15 walks, and four sacrifice flies. She tied for the team lead with four home runs. She tied for second with 21 runs scored. On defense, she registered a team-high 167 putouts and six assists with no errors, as she earned a 1.000 field. She was one of three Bearcats who started all 38 games.

In 2022, DeLuca led the Bearcats with a .356 batting average despite missing nine games due to an injury. While competing in 29 games, she topped Willamette with 19 RBIs and four sacrifice flies.

DeLuca earned a .347 career batting average to go with a .403 on-base percentage. She contributed 68 RBIs, 35 runs, 25 doubles, five homers, and 34 walks over the past four seasons. She played in 104 games with 97 starts. She set a Willamette record with a .997 career fielding percentage as she was credited with 306 putouts, 29 assists, and one error.