OKLAHOMA CITY – Amanda Howard of Oklahoma City University became a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association NAIA first-team all-American, while Ashley Wilburn was named to the second team.

Howard, Wilburn, Lily LaVelle and Autumn Mayberry of the NAIA softball runner-up Stars also were named NFCA all-NAIA Southwest Region.

OCU owns the most NAIA national championship game appearances at 12. OCU has captured national crowns an NAIA-high eight times – in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2007 – and finished as runner-up four times – 1986, 1993, 1999 and 2010.
The Stars were 45-14 and captured the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament title for the third year in a row.

Howard was named to the all-American team as an at-large selection. Howard, a senior outfielder from Strathmore, Alberta, Canada, hit .374 with 14 doubles, 10 homers, 39 RBIs and 13 stolen bases this year. Howard became a two-time all-region pick.

As a Star, Howard had career numbers of .373, 40 doubles, 13 triples, 45 homers, 163 RBIs and 54 steals in four years. Howard, who earned a master's degree in health and human performance, picked up CoSIDA ESPN the Magazine academic all-district second-team honors in addition to all-SAC her senior season and academic all-conference as a junior. She was the 2009 NAIA and SAC player of the year.

Wilburn, a senior pitcher-designated player from Gilmer, Texas, posted a 15-4 record, 1.85 ERA, two saves, 13 complete games, six shutouts and 149 strikeouts in 143.2 innings pitched this season. Opponents hit .210 off her. Wilburn also hit .250 with three homers and 32 RBIs. Wilburn became a two-time all-region selection.

For her career, Wilburn went 49-11 with a 1.57 ERA, eight saves, 17 shutouts, 36 complete games and 465 strikeouts in 429 innings during three years as a Star. She also hit .284 with 17 doubles, seven homers and 53 RBIs. Wilburn became a second-team all-American as a junior and was two-time first-team all-SAC.

LaVelle, a sophomore from Bridge Creek, Okla., went 23-5 with a 1.51 earned run average, 19 complete games, seven shutouts and 217 strikeouts in 171.1 innings pitched this year. LaVelle also hit .388 with 15 doubles, 12 home runs, 49 RBIs and 23 steals. LaVelle was named SAC pitcher of the year.