Krystal De La Cruz Named to NCAA Mideast All-Regional Team

RUSTON – A pair of Louisiana Tech sophomores earned 2017 NFCA Division I All-Region honors Thursday as outfielder Morgan Turkoly and pitcher Krystal De La Cruz were named to the Mideast Region third team.

Turkoly, a Sanger, Texas native, earned her spot on the team after batting .367 with 47 hits, 11 doubles, two triples and two home runs while scoring 34 runs and driving in 36 more. She drew 25 walks (only 10 strikeouts) while stealing nine bases. Defensively, Turkoly did not commit an error in left field while recording 70 putouts and three assists.

Turkoly was named first team all-Conference USA despite missing 14 non-conference games and playing the majority of the season with a fractured knuckle. She also earned numerous academic honors, including C-USA Softball All-Academic team, C-USA Academic Medalist and C-USA Commissioners Honor Roll.

De La Cruz earned her spot on the team after a season that saw the Texas A&M International transfer record a 13-3 record and two saves with a 1.76 earned run average. The Eagle Pass, Texas native tossed 119.0 innings, allowing 88 hits and 33 walks while striking out 67 batters.

De La Cruz earned C-USA first team honors as well as the C-USA Newcomer of the Year Award. She was named to the C-USA All-Tournament team after posting a 3-0 record with a 0.37 earned run average, including complete-game wins over Marshall and FIU.

Turkoly and De La Cruz will lead Louisiana Tech into Friday’s match-up against No. 1 ranked Minnesota in the first day of the Tuscaloosa Regional. The game is set for 1:30 p.m. and can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 97.7 FM and will be televised on ESPNU.

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