University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Jana Lee Takes Home NFCA Leadoff Classic All-Tournament Team Honors
2/11/2025 8:46:00 AM | Softball
CLEARWATER, Fla.-Southern Miss senior pitcher and designated player Jana Lee earned NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic All-Tournament Team honors after her standout performance over the weekend.
Southern Miss opened its season at the 17-team tournament in Clearwater, Fla., facing elite competition, which included a bracket of six nationally ranked teams. Among them were No. 16 Nebraska and No. 20 Northwestern, both of whom Southern Miss battled.
Building on her success as a 2024 Second Team All-Sun Belt selection, Lee picked up right where she left with two dominant outings in the circle for Southern Miss. The Albany, Ga., native pitched complete games versus Marshall and No. 20 Northwestern, registering a 1.00 ERA with only two earned runs allowed to a total of 11 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched.Â
Lee led Southern Miss to its first victory of the season on opening day against conference opponent Marshall, throwing 88 pitches with seven hits allowed and just one earned run, while fanning seven batters, her highest strikeout total since Feb. 25, 2023 against Yale and one shy of tying her career-high.
Lee returned Sunday to close out the tournament against No. 20 Northwestern, battling with Riley Grudzielanek in a heated pitcher's duel that was locked even at six innings completed before the Wildcats edged out to a 2-1 victory. Lee's effort in the circle stood out as she tossed five consecutive scoreless frames, surpassing 100 pitches while surrendering just one earned run and striking out four batters.Â
Lee also made an impact at the plate as Southern Miss' designated player, delivering an RBI single in the team's 6-2 win over Marshall, bringing home Paris Ferguson in the second inning. \
Her efforts throughout the weekend cemented her spot among the tournament's top performers. The complete list of the 2025 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic All-Tournament Team can be found below:
All-Tournament Team
Halyne Gonzalez, Bethune-Cookman
Cassidy Curd, Duke
Tatianna Roman, Iowa
Emma Friedel, Kennesaw State
Peyton Plotts, Kentucky
Paige Simpson, Marshall
Raelin Chaffin, Mississippi State
Stefania Abruscato, Missouri
Amber Rivas, Morgan State
Jordy Bahl, Nebraska
Kaylie Avvisato, Northwestern
Micaela Kastor, Notre Dame
Brooke Klosowicz, Penn State
Saleyna Daniel, Pittsburgh
Jana Lee, Southern Miss
Taylor Pannell, Tennessee
NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech
Players Mentioned
UT
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