Three Panthers Earn All-ACC Accolades
5/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Three members of the University of Pittsburgh softball team were named All-ACC performers as announced by league officials Thursday morning. Junior Jenna Modic was named First Team All-ACC, while redshirt junior Shelby Pickett and freshman McKayla Taylor were tabbed Second Team honorees.
"We are incredibly honored to have three of our student-athletes recognized by the ACC coaches as All-Conference," said head coach Holly Aprile. "Jenna [Modic], Shelby [Pickett], and McKayla [Taylor] produced for us all year and they each provided us with great leadership as well. We could not be more proud of their efforts."
Modic was the Panthers most consistent hitter throughout the season, posting multiple hit and on-base streaks throughout the season. The Youngstown, Ohio native is currently leading the team with a .377 average in ACC play, after posting a team-high 29 hits in 77 at-bats. Modic was named ACC Softball Player of the Week on March 2 after leading Pitt to a series victory over the University of Virginia. Most recently, the designated player was responsible for the Panthers' win over Louisville when she hit a walk-off home run for a 2-1 victory. On the season, she claims a .318 average including five doubles, six homers and 35 RBI.
Pickett quickly made her mark on the Pitt softball program as her impressive batting has landed her in four different single-season categories in the record book including at-bats (177), runs (43), hits (63), and doubles (15). Hitting .304 in conference action, she has knocked in 15 runners and posted four doubles and three home runs. The California native also chipped in 30 putouts and 44 assists at third base.
Taylor has had an outstanding collegiate debut for the Panthers in 2015. The shortstop owns a .306 average in ACC play, good for second-best on the team. Taylor has recorded 22 hits, five doubles, six homers and 29 RBI against conference foes. The California native posted her best performance this season against Syracuse where she notched 17 RBI in the three-game series after batting 8-for-11 including seven runs, two doubles and four homers. That performance earned her ACC Player of the Week on April 13. On the season, Taylor has sent home 52 runners, a Pitt softball single-season record. Her 13 homers also ranks her third in the single-season record book.
These three newcomers have been a crucial piece to the team's success this year. The Panthers finished regular season competition at 33-19, just one win short of tying the team season record. Their efforts have also earned Pitt an invitation to its first postseason appearance since 2011. The Panthers will take on Notre Dame Thursday, May 7, at the 2015 ACC Softball Championships in Blacksburg, Va.
For all things Pitt softball, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram at @PittSoftball, or visit PittsburghPanthers.com.