KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Bellevue University was well represented on the NAIA All-American teams announced today by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Sophomore third baseman/pitcher Erin Sharpe and senior pitcher Kelli Fisher were both honored as first team selections.
The duo becomes BU's 10th and 11th first-team selections in school history and the first since 2015 when Ashley Gigax was named to the first team.
Fisher capped her BU career by being named the North Star Athletic Association's Pitcher of the Year while leading the Bruins with a school record 30 wins, finishing the year with a 30-7 record, four saves, 207 strikeouts, and a 1.15 ERA in 248.2 innings pitched. She became the school's all-time wins leader, finishing her BU career with 89 career victories.
Fisher also earned first team all-NSAA honors as well as first-team all-Region recognition this season. She was named the NSAA's pitcher of the week on three separate occasions and was also named Bellevue's Female Athlete of the Year.
Sharpe, who split time at third base and in the pitching circle, had one of the best offensive seasons in school history, helping her earn NSAA Player of the Year honors. She set a school record with 28 home runs, which also led the nation. Sharpe also surpassed the school's single-season RBI record, finishing with 79. For the season, Sharpe batted .427 with 18 doubles, 28 home runs, 79 RBIs, 49 runs scored and a .950 slugging percentage.
In the circle, Sharpe compiled a 12-2 record, with a team-leading 1.09 ERA, while striking out 66 batters. Sharpe earned the distinguished honor of being named both the NSAA Pitcher and Player of the Week on May 1.
Sharpe also earned first team all-Region and all-NSAA accolades this season.
Bellevue wrapped up the 2017 campaign with a 50-16 overall record. The Bruins went 20-6 in NSAA play, took home the regular-season crown, and reached the NSAA Championship Series. The Bruins advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the ninth time in school history.
