ST. PAUL, Minn. - Macalester College junior Martha Miller (Medford, Wis./Medford) and sophomore Safiya Butler (St. Louis, Mo./Whitfield School) were chosen to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-Region IX third team, the organization announced today. This is the first All-Region honor for both Miller and Butler.

Miller was the Scots' top pitcher this season, posting a record of 12-11 and an earned run average of 3.45 in 32 appearances and 29 starts. She led the MIAC in innings pitched with 152 and games started while ranking second with 128 strikeouts. In two seasons at Macalester, Miller is 23-18 with an ERA of 3.31 and 202 strikeouts in 251 2/3 innings pitched. She also contributed at the plate, batting .323 with 43 hits, 23 runs, nine doubles and a team-best 33 runs batted in, which ranked 11th in the MIAC. In a victory over Buena Vista on Mar. 1, Miller went 3-for-3 with two runs, a double, a homer and four RBIs.

Butler had a breakout year for the Scots and the starting centerfielder, batting .423 with 55 hits, 39 runs and 27 stolen bases in 29 attempts. She tied for second in the MIAC in both hits and stolen bases and ranked seventh in runs. In 10 games during Spring Break at THE Spring Games, Butler batted .570 (19-for-38) with 14 runs, five RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 11 attempts, earning MIAC Player of the Week honors on Mar. 23. In 80 games as a Scot, Butler has 94 hits, 61 runs and a .387 career batting average.

Macalester, coached by Jody Gabriel, were 21-19 overall this year, marking the third straight season with 20 or more wins. 

Click here to view the NFCA release.