Softball: Bigham and Hylton earn All-Region accolades from NFCA

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

The freshman duo of pitcher Eden Bigham and infielder Jade Hylton continued to pull in recognition this week, as both Virginia softball players earned All-Region honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on Thursday.

Bigham earned first team All-Region honors while Hylton was a third team All-Region selection. It marks back-to-back seasons that Virginia has had multiple players earn All-Region recognition from the association, as a trio of Cavaliers were honored last season.

Bigham posted a 13-6 record with a 2.52 ERA, as she tied for the team lead in ERA and led the team in wins as the Cavaliers hit the 30-win mark for the first time since the 2010 season. Bigham led the Hoos with 115 strikeouts and held opponents to a .189 batting average against this season. She was twice named ACC Pitcher of the Week, as she threw a no-hit shutout in her collegiate debut and was again honored as she pitched the Cavaliers to a win at No. 4 Florida State. Bigham was an All-ACC third team selection and was named to the ACC All-Freshman team.

Hylton was also an ACC All-Freshman selection, as she hit at a .314 clip on the year and tied for the team lead in home runs (10) and steals (22). Her 26 RBI led the team, while she was also tops in extra-base hits with eight doubles and four triples to go along with the 10 home runs. Her 33 runs scored also paced the squad this season. She was named a TUCCI/NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 selection this season.