CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its all-region selections for the 2023 season on Thursday, Illinois softball's Kelly Ryono was named a Midwest All-Region Second Team selection following a stellar senior campaign.
Ryono led the Fighting Illini with a .352 batting average and a .619 slugging percentage in 2023. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native tallied 48 RBI, tying for ninth in the record books for a single season. A standout at the plate, Ryono tallied a career-best six RBI in a tilt with conference foe Rutgers. Her 12 home runs this year paced Illinois and included her first collegiate grand slam during the Fighting Illini's rout of SIUE.
Earlier this season, Ryono earned her first all-conference nod when the outfielder was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team. The all-region award for Ryono is her first from the coaches association.
The three NFCA All-American teams will be announced on May 31. Each All-American Team will be comprised of 18 players: three pitchers, one catcher, one first base, one second base, one third base, one shortstop, three outfielders, one utility/pitcher, one utility/non-pitcher, and five at-large positions.
