LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Parkland softball players Emma Newton and Tori Witruk were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NJCAA Division II Midwest Region Second Team on Tuesday afternoon.

The NJCAA Division II team is comprised of two teams in each of the country's three regions. The 91 players selected were nominated and selected by NFCA member head coaches in the three regions. The NFCA All-America team will be announced on Thursday.

Earning her second All-Region honor after being named Region 24 First Team All-Region, freshman Emma Newton was a consistent presence in the middle of the Cobras' lineup that produced among the best in NJCAA Division II with 347 runs (24^th), 523 hits (12^th), 161 extra-base hits (18^th) and a program-tying record 51 home runs (12^th). Individually, Newton led the offense in home runs (12), doubles (20), RBI (55), batting average (.423) and slugging percentage (.743), while ranking second in hits (74) and third in runs (44). Adding to the impressive power performance, Newton also exemplified plate discipline with just eight strikeouts in 189 plate appearances.

Sophomore Tori Witruk joins Newton on the All-Region team after leading the Parkland pitching staff with the lone sub-3 earned run average, finishing the season at 2.96. Appearing in the circle in 27 of Parkland's 55 games, Witruk led the team in wins (12), innings pitched (120.2), complete games (11) and strikeouts (67). Highlighting her season in the circle, Witruk combined with teammate Kirbie Mendenhall to no-hit Sauk Valley on March 22. Also, a contributor with the bat, Witruk batted .346 with a .469 on-base percentage to help her own cause.

Witruk shined brightest in the postseason, starting all three games in the Region 24 Tournament and hitting her first home run of the season to walk-off Danville Area in the opening round. Witruk would go on to add a second home run later that day against top-seeded Illinois Central.
 
Midwest Region First Team
Josie Swafford – Pitcher, Des Moines Area CC
Erin Hocker – Pitcher, Kirkwood CC
Jordan Martin – Pitcher, Madison College
Lexi Campbell – Catcher, Spoon River College
Hannah Fakotr – Catcher, North Iowa Area CC
Mia Ruther – Infield, Des Moinea Area CC
Avery Guy – Infield, Iowa Central CC
Sophia Cave – Infield, Iowa Central CC
Kaci Sherwood – Infield, North Iowa Area CC
London Jackson – Infield, Kirkwood CC
Cheyenne Anderson – Outfield, Iowa Central CC
Shelby Hulsebus – Outfield, Kirkwood
Morgan Lewis – Outfield, Des Moines Area CC
Irene Tomasovic – Outfield, Madison College
Taylor Allen – Outfield, Iowa Lakes CC
Ally Pickering – DP, Des Moines Area CC
Shelby Martin – Utility, Dawson CC
Yasmine Nix – Utility, Iowa Lakes CC
 
Midwest Region Second Team
Alyssa Roll – Pitcher, Heartland CC
Maddie Fink – Pitcher, Madison College
Tori Witruk – Pitcher, Parkland College
Willow Chitty – Infield, North Platte CC
Parker Matthews – Infield, Iowa Central CC
Rachel Stewart – Infield, Kirkwood CC
Maddie Mackey – Infield, Heartland CC
Alison Ellertson – Infield, Dawson CC
Jasmine McCormick – Outfield, Heartland CC
Emma Newton – Outfield, Parkland College
Gabrielle Bingham – Outfield, Iowa Central CC
Emily Marsden – DP, North Platte CC
Bre Tjebben – Utility, Iowa Central CC