Postseason awards continue to roll in for TCC Softball

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 29, 2014) – Thanks to a remarkable 2014 season, Tallahassee Community College's softball team continues to stockpile an impressive list of postseason accolades. 

The latest honors are courtesy of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), who has released its NJCAA Division I All-Region teams and five members of the Eagles were named All-South Region. 

Pitcher Mariah Rivera, first baseman Alexis Huss (pictured at right) and outfielder Te Reo Powhiri Matautia were named First-team All-South Region while catcher Brianna Murillo and third baseman Brenda Santana received second-team honors. 

Among other accolades, all five players were previously named First-team All-Panhandle Conference. 

For Rivera, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., and graduate of Lincoln High School, she is one step closer to a second All-America award, having already been named a second-team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). She was previously named Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year and first-team FCSAA All-State. During the Eagles' postseason run to the NJCAA Division I Softball National Championship, she was named to the FCSAA All-Tournament and FCSAA Gulf District All-Tournament teams. 

Rivera posted a 21-6 record with three saves and a 1.60 ERA in 30 appearances during her freshman campaign. She recorded 26 complete games (out of 27 starts), pitched 183.2 innings and struck out 141, leading the team in all the aforementioned categories. 

Huss, a sophomore from Frankfort, Ill., batted .355 with 13 home runs, a school-record 53 RBI and a .628 slugging percentage. She joined Rivera as an FCSAA First-team All-State selection and was named to the FCSAA All-Tournament and FCSAA Gulf District All-Tournament teams. 

Matautia, a freshman from Mangere Bridge, Auckland, New Zealand, led the Eagles with a .371 batting average, .425 on-base percentage, 66 hits and 54 runs scored while hitting six home runs and driving in 40 runs. She was named FCSAA Second-team All-State and was the MVP of the FCSAA Tournament. 

Santana, a sophomore from Long Beach, Calif., batted .342 with eight home runs and 36 RBI. Her .547 slugging percentage and .403 on-base percentage were second-best on the team. 

Murillo, a sophomore from Chino Hills, Calif., batted .323 with eight home runs and 32 RBI and a .509 slugging percentage. 

By virtue of being first-team all-region selections, Rivera, Huss and Matautia are now eligible for NFCA All-America honors, which will be announced June 4.