University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Esparza Named NFCA Second Team All-Region
5/14/2026 1:06:00 PM | Softball
PITTSBURGH – Graduate student KK Esparza was named to the NFCA All-Region Second Team East, as announced by the organization Thursday afternoon
Esparza becomes the 17th Panther to earn NFCA All-Region honors, and the first Panther to be recognized since 2023.
The Houston, Texas, native started in 48 games with time spent between catcher and designated player. She ended the regular season with a .336 overall batting average and a .362 mark in ACC play. Esparza led the team with 36 RBI and eight home runs. In the field, Esparza held a .964 fielding percentage with two caught stealings and no passed balls.
The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association'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 2026 NFCA Division I All-America squads.
