Wheaton College (Ill.) Kelly Thornton named to the 2019 NFCA All-Region team for softball

Wheaton senior Kelly Thornton was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Great Lakes Region First Team as a utility selection for her efforts this season at pitcher, second base and shortstop.

Thornton is a three-time All-Region selection, earning First Team honors this season and in 2018 to go with Third Team recognition in 2017.

hornton, the 2019 CCIW Player of the Year, is a four-time First Team All-CCIW honoree. Overall for the year, Thornton posted a .442 (57-for-129) batting average in 39 games, with a .500 on-base percentage and .674 slugging percentage. She hit four home runs this year, with 18 doubles. She scored 31 runs and tallied 37 RBI this year. Thornton tied Wheaton's single-season record for total bases with 87 this season and her 59 hits ranks second in the record books. Her 18 doubles in 2019 ranks second in Wheaton's single-season record book and her 37 RBI this year ranks fifth.

Thornton graduates from Wheaton ranked in the top-five in 10 different offensive categories, including the all-time leader in hits (182) and total bases (299). Her 51 career doubles ranks second all-time in program history, she is third in career batting average (.408), third in home runs (18), third in RBI (116) and tied for third in runs scored (110).