The Valparaiso University softball team was represented by two players on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Midwest Region squads, as announced by the NFCA on Thursday. Senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) received Second Team All-Region honors, while sophomore Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno) earned a spot on the Third Team.

Stewart adds yet another honor to her plethora of awards following her standout senior season. The Horizon League Player of the Year, Stewart ended her final year hitting .388 with 15 home runs, 42 runs scored and 46 RBIs. She set new Valpo single-season records for home runs, walks (49), on-base percentage (.568) and slugging percentage (.836), and ended her Crusader career third in program history in career home runs and fourth in RBIs. Stewart, who led the Horizon League in seven different offensive categories, currently ranks fifth nationally in walks, sixth in on-base percentage and 13^th in slugging percentage.

Trepanier picked up the All-Region award after starting every game at second base and serving as the Crusaders’ catalyst atop the lineup as a sophomore. Trepanier finished the season hitting .358 with 31 runs scored, nine doubles and 15 stolen bases. Her 62 total hits were second-most in the Horizon League and rank sixth on Valpo’s single-season chart. Trepanier, who earned All-League honors for the second straight season, also closed the year fourth in the league in stolen bases, fifth in batting average and sixth in on-base percentage (.431).

Both Stewart and Trepanier earned All-Region recognition from the NFCA for the first time, and are now eligible for All-American honors. This year is just the second time in Crusader program history that the team has had multiple players earn All-Region accolades.