LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV softball team had four players recognized on the Mountain West All-MW postseason awards list, led by freshman
Lauren Fettic earning Pitcher of the Year honors, the league office announced Wednesday. Senior Keyanahh Chavez and Fettic were selected to the All-MW first team, and senior
Diamond Sefe and sophomore
Mantha Hatzenbeller garnered second team. This marks the first career MW award for Fettic, Chavez, Sefe and Hatzenbeller.
Fettic is the first Rebel in nearly two decades to earn the pitcher of the year honor since UNLV alumnae Christine Robinson was named in 2007. She is the first UNLV pitcher under head coach
Kristie Fox to earn the nod. Additionally, Fettic is the first freshman MW pitcher of the year since the 2019 season.
Fettic, a Boise, Idaho native, led the Scarlet & Gray pitching staff with a 2.91 ERA during league play, which is also good for second in the league standings. As a freshman, Fettic made 20 appearances through conference play including 13 starts. Through her 20 appearances, Fettic has 86.2 innings of work and 51 strikeouts. Her 86.2 innings of work ranks second in the conference standings and her 51 strikeouts are the second most in the MW. She pitched five complete games including going the distance and then some, pitching a solid 9.0 innings against Grand Canyon in the series opener on April 24. Fettic closed out league play with a 9-3 overall record, which her nine wins are tied for first in the MW. She earned three saves against MW foes, which her three saves are also tied for the league lead.
Chavez, a Leander, Texas native, had a breakout season in her senior year as a Rebel. She is the offensive leader of the group, batting a .457, which ranks second in the conference. She additionally leads the team and is fifth in the league in hits with 51. At the plate, Chavez has drawn a team-high 19 walks, which is third in the MW. Chavez has tallied 20 RBI on the season and four clutch home runs including the go-ahead solo blast in the 4-3 victory against GCU on April 24. Chavez's bat stayed hot at the plate through all 25 games, and she compiled a .700 slugging percentage and a team-leading .576 on-base percentage.
Sefe, a Carson, California native, had a solid senior campaign as she was second on the squad in batting with a .406, which ranks top-10 in the league. Sefe played and started all 25 league games. She picked up 25 hits against league foes which included four doubles and two home runs. Sefe crossed the plate 18 times throughout league play, which is second for the Rebels. She tallied together a .551 slugging percentage and a solid .523 on-base percentage. Sefe drew 16 walks against MW opponents, which is second on the team and tied fifth in the MW standings. She also ranked third for UNLV in RBI with 14.
Hatzenbeller, a Meridian, Idaho native, closed out her sophomore conference season as the home run leader for the Rebels with nine, which is tied for fourth in the MW. Not only was she the home run leader, Hatzenbeller led the squad in runs scored (20), slugging percentage (.882), RBI (25) and triples with two. Her massive slugging percentage of .882 ranks third in the league. Hatzenbeller's RBI and triples also rank top-7 in the conference. She has tallied 25 hits against conference opponents and nine walks. Hatzenbeller had a phenomenal game in her homecoming to the state of Idaho going a solid 4-for-4 including two two-run homers against Boise State on April 18.
The Scarlet & Gray will open the MW Softball Championships on Thursday, May 7 at 6 p.m. PT. The Rebels await their opponent and play the winner of UNR and Colorado State.
