LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its 2024 All-Region teams Saturday. WKU Softball had a program-record four players recognized on the All-Mideast Teams: Taylor Sanders (second team), Katie Gardner (third team), Cheyanne Sales (third team) and TJ Webster (third team).
Sanders earned the All-Region recognition for the second time in her career. Sanders leaves as the program's all-time leader in home runs (48), RBI (184), and total bases (369). She broke the program's single-season home run (17) and RBI record (56) during the 2024 season. While slugging .795 at the plate, she picked up 32 extra-base hits with a .353 batting average and led WKU with 16 multi-RBI games this season. The Shelbyville, Tenn. native was named First Team All-Conference and was a two-time CUSA Player of the Week.
As the Hilltoppers' ace in the circle this season, Gardner led WKU with a 2.68 ERA and led Conference USA with 16 wins and 136 strikeouts in 2024. She recorded a career-high eight complete-game shutouts, including shutouts against Liberty and Ole Miss, while holding Jax State to zero runs in an 11-inning complete game. The Bowling Green, Ky. native was named CUSA Pitcher of the Year, CUSA First Team All-Conference, and was a two-time CUSA Pitcher of the Week.
Sales was tabbed with her first Third Team nod after wrapping up her first season on The Hill batting .306 with 44 hits as the Tops' designated player. The Chattanooga, Tenn. native slugged .472 on the year, picked up six doubles, six home runs, and totaled nine multi-hit games and nine multi-RBI games. Sales earned CUSA Player of the Week after WKU's series sweep of FIU as she batted .625 over the weekend and plated eight RBI off of five hits.
Webster, the CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, adds Third Team All-Region to her 2024 resume. The Huntsville, Ala. native recorded just one error all season at shortstop, while hitting a league-best .405 at the plate. She tallied 64 hits and scored 38 runs, leading the Hilltoppers with 19 multi-hit games. She was named CUSA First Team All-Conference and picked up one CUSA Player of the Week nod in her fifth season on The Hill.
2024 marks the first time WKU Softball has had four NFCA All-Region honorees in a season, now bringing the program's total to 21.
WKU SOFTBALL ALL-TIME ALL-REGION HONOREES
2003 – Shelly Floyd – First Team – Second Base
2009 – Ryan Rogge – First Team – Pitcher
2013 – Olivia Watkins – First Team – Second Base
2013 – Emily Rousseau – Second Team – Pitcher
2014 – Olivia Watkins – Third Team – Second Base
2015 – Miranda Kramer – First Team – Pitcher
2015 – Larissa Franklin – First Team – Outfielder
2016 – Brooke Holloway – Third Team – Shortstop
2018 – Jordan Thomas – Third Team – Outfielder
2019 – Kennedy Sullivan – Second Team – Utility/Pitcher
2019 – Kendall Smith – Third Team – Catcher
2021 – Paige Carter – Second Team – Outfielder
2021 – Kennedy Sullivan – Third Team – Utility/Pitcher
2022 – Taylor Davis – Third Team – Outfielder
2022 – Shelby Nunn – Third Team – Pitcher
2022 – Taylor Sanders – Third Team – Third Base
2023 – Faith Hegh – Second Team – Utility
2024 – Taylor Sanders – Second Team – Third Base
2024 – Katie Gardner – Third Team – Pitcher
2024 – Cheyanne Sales – Third Team – Designated Player
2024 – TJ Webster – Third Team – Shortstop
How to Follow Hilltopper Softball: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on X at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball.
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