Elon’s Kara Shutt(Southeast Guilford High School) Tabbed an NFCA Third Team All-American

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – For just the second time in program history, the Elon University softball team had a student-athlete named an All-American as senior Kara Shutt was tabbed a Third Team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as announced by the organization on Wednesday afternoon, May 30.

NFCA Release | 2018 NFCA All-American Teams

Shutt becomes just the second player in school history to receive All-American laurels, joining Tomeka Watson ’13, who also nabbed third team accolades in 2013. Shutt was one of nine outfielders to earn a spot on either the first, second or third NFCA All-American teams.

“I’m really honored to be named an All-American,” said Shutt. “I want to thank my coaches, teammates and family for supporting me throughout my four years and helping me reach my full potential as a student-athlete.”

The All-American honor adds to Shutt’s decorated career with the Phoenix while also making another addition to her laundry list of accomplishments from her 2018 senior campaign. The Greensboro, N.C., native was named a first team NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region selection for the second time and also was a first team All-CAA choice for the third straight season. Shutt was also one of three honorees from the Colonial Athletic Association, joining fellow third team members Kate Gordon and Odicci Alexander from James Madison.

“I am excited for Kara to be honored as one of the best Division I outfielders in the country,” said Elon head coach Kathy Bocock. “She has been consistent for our program for four years and has earned the respect of coaches across the country with her high level of play. I feel very privileged to have been able to recruit her to Elon and it has been an honor to work with her in the outfield and help her flourish into an All-American.”

Shutt concluded her senior season by leading the maroon and gold in batting average (.425), slugging percentage (.580), runs scored (42), hits (74) and total bases (101) while also tying the team-lead in triples (three). She also tied her own single-season school-record with 21 doubles and went on to become the program’s and the CAA’s all-time career leader with 63. Defensively, she posted a .979 fielding percentage with 88 putouts and only two errors on the year.

Shutt closed out her Elon career with her name at or near the top of several categories. She ranks second to Watson in career hits (253) and is third in runs scored (142). Her 13 career triples are tied for fifth all-time in school history while her 114 RBI is fourth in program history. Shutt also finished fourth in the CAA in career hits and triples.