SALEM, Va.-  Junior pitcher/designated player Megan Russell was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Second Team, announced tonight at the annual awards banquet at the NCAA Division II Softball Championships.  Russell later earned the third All-America honor of her career when she was named to the Daktronics Third Team, a feat she also did as a freshman.

Russell earned the Great Lakes Valley Conference's Player of the Year after a phenomenal junior campaign that saw her break several school records.  The Franklin Central High School product has hit 17 homers this season, easily breaking the school's single-season mark and giving her the career mark as well.  She led the conference in homers, RBI, slugging percentage and total bases.

Her recognition comes at the designated player position, but she has also posted some impressive numbers in the pitching circle as well.  She owns a 19-10 record this season with five of those wins coming in the NCAA tournament, propelling the Greyhounds to their first-ever College World Series berth.  Russell owns eight shutouts, a 1.38 earned run average and 167 strikeouts this season.

Russell advanced to the All-America ballot after earning First Team All-Midwest Region accolades.  Joining her on the All-Midwest team were senior Maggie Swanson and sophomore Jamie Keltz who were each placed on the second team.

Swanson goes into the NCAA Championships with a .333 batting average, a team-record 48 runs, while swiping 21 bags.  She's started all 55 games and leads the team in doubles (11), steals (21), runs (48), triples (4) and sacrifices (7).

Keltz is already second on the UIndy all-time homer list with nine dingers this season tacked-on to her total of ten as a freshman.  The sophomore second baseman is a perfect 18-for-18 in stolen bases and is hitting .279 with 9 HR and 26 RBI this season.

UIndy (36-19) faces Angelo State in the opening game of the NCAA Championships Thursday at Moyer Complex in Salem, Va.  Angelo State is ranked fourth in the nation and was the national champion back in 2004.  First pitch is slated for noon.