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NJCAA names two Raiders to All-American team

Thursday, May 31, 2012
Joseph Hunter

The Raider softball team's historic season was capped off by Kalee Tabor and Kristie Hoeffer being named to the NJCAA All-American team.

The Seminole State softball team capped off a historic season with a strong finish as two Raider sophomores were awarded All-American honors by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

Infielder Kalee Tabor, of Lake Mary, and outfielder Kristie Hoeffer, of Gloucester, Va., were named All-Americans for their outstanding play on the field throughout the season.

“This was a record-setting season for Seminole State softball,” says Coach Courtney Miller. “The sophomores led this team from day one, and in the end it was their determination and work ethic that helped this team achieve its goals.”

Kalee Tabor

Tabor, who was also the Florida College System Activities Association’s (FCSAA) Female Athlete of the Year, received Second Team All-American honors. She also was named FCSAA Softball Player of the Year and Seminole State’s Most Valuable Player. She was No. 1 in the state in RBIs (65) and home runs (17), and she had a yearlong batting average of .366. Feared at the plate, she knocked 74 hits, including 19 doubles – good for No. 6 and No. 2 in Florida, respectively – and she was walked 38 times. Tabor also owns the Seminole State single-season and career home run records, hitting 17 both seasons.

Hoeffer, who earlier this year was named NJCAA National Player of the Week and who was recognized on the FCSAA All-State team, earned Third Team All-American honors. In addition to being No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in the country in doubles with 27, Hoeffer led the state in runs scored (70), steals (44) and hits (94), and she maintained a .410 batting average. She also contributed 37 RBIs and seven home runs.

Kristie Hoeffer

The All-American nods were the latest in a long parade of honors the Raiders have received in one of the most successful seasons in their history, which saw the program win its first-ever state championship and make it to day two of the NJCAA National Championship tournament.

And the Raiders did it all while being the positive definition of the phrase “student-athletes.” Seminole State’s softball team was named the FCSAA Academic Team of the Year in women’s sports.

“We stress the importance of winning on and off the field at Seminole State,” says Athletic Director John Scarpino. “These are the types of life lessons you learn through athletics – how to handle success and how to handle failure. The softball team is a great example of the product we put out, with their success in the classroom and on the field. The accolades speak for themselves.”

Along the way, the Raiders earned runner-up honors in the Mid-Florida Conference (MFC) while landing six players on the All-MFC team, five of whom also were named to the FCSAA All-State team. The defensively minded Raiders ranked second in the nation in fielding percentage, using smart play and timely offense to amass a record of 46-22-1 this season.

“We tied or set 14 school records this year,” Miller says. “We’re looking forward to building on this success next year. The 2012 team has set a good standard for future teams here at Seminole State.”