5/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Just days after being named to the Mountain West's All-Conference First Team, UNLV softball's Garie Blando was selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches All-West Region Third Team. Blando is no stranger to NFCA recognition, as she was tabbed to the organization's second team one year ago.
Blando ranks in the top 100 of four NCAA categories, such as: runs per game (56th/1.00), home runs per game (87th/.27), slugging percentage (.739) and doubles per game (91st/.29).
She led the Scarlet & Gray in nearly every offensive category and was the only one to start all 55 contests in 2015. She was tops in batting average (.389), at-bats (180), runs (55), hits (70), doubles (16), home runs (15), RBI (46), total bases (133) and slugging percentage (.739). She was also tops in multiple-hit games (18) and multiple-RBI games (15).
She rattled off three hitting streaks of six, nine and a career-best 19 games. The latter began in the final game of a MW series at San Diego State (April 22) and lasted until the first contest at Colorado State (May 1). She hit a staggering .508 (31-for-61) at the plate with 17 extra-base hits (12 home runs, four doubles and one triple) that in turn produced an astonishing 1.197 slugging percentage. Those hits coupled with 13 walks registered a .595 on-base percentage.
Earlier this week, Samantha Juarez and Emily Haslinger as well as Blando were recognized as All-MW Team members.
