
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For the second straight year, a Northeast Mississippi Community College softball player broke the program record for most strikeouts in a single season.
Likewise, for the second consecutive campaign, the pitcher that carved up the Tigers' opponents has earned a spot among the elite performers in the country.
Northeast's Ramsey Montgomery was recognized as a first-team All-American selection by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
"Ramsey brings an All-American mentality to each phase of her life, in the classroom, on the field and in the community," said Tigers head coach Jody Long. "These honors are a testament of the person she is. She's a competitor that loves the ball and will do anything you ask of her."
Montgomery qualified for this prestigious accolade by first securing NFCA All-South Region first-team distinction. She moved into the top three in three additional single season statistical categories during her inaugural year with the Tigers.
The Mantachie High School graduate finished second in school history in wins with 25 and in earned run average (ERA) at 1.04. Montgomery threw the third most innings as well with 182 on the dot.
She is only the ninth Northeast pitcher to produce a sub-two ERA and just the second to accumulate 200 or more strikeouts along with current University of Tennessee at Martin standout Rylee Tittle.
Montgomery surpassed Tittle's previous record with her 201st punch out, which came against eventual national champion Copiah-Lincoln Community College. She concluded the season with 232 total strikeouts.
She was selected as the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Pitcher of the Week after tossing a complete game one-hit shutout versus Jackson State (Tenn.) Community College in her debut as a Tiger.
Montgomery obtained this award for a second time in early April after tying a season-high with 16 strikeouts in the opening contest of a doubleheader sweep over rival Itawamba Community College at The Plex.
She was also a five-time recipient of the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) Pitcher of the Week. Montgomery was decorated with first-team all-conference honors as well.
The hard-throwing righty made 36 appearances with 29 starts, including 21 complete games. Montgomery had a 25-2 overall win-loss record with three saves and an average of 8.9 strikeouts per outing.
Montgomery had nine double-digit strikeout performances with four of them coming in league play. She contributed to 15 shutouts by Northeast's stellar pitching staff.
She posted her first solo no-hitter at this level in a run-rule shortened decision over Mississippi Delta Community College. Montgomery was also part of a combined no-no earlier in the year against Pellissippi State (Tenn.) Community College.
Montgomery is the 22nd student-athlete and the seventh pitcher to receive All-American laurels since Northeast and the entire MACCC transitioned from slowpitch to fastpitch competition in 2001.