Ottumwa -- Taylor Jones and Erin Kuba, two key performers on an Indian Hills softball team that went 46-12 this spring, were rewarded for their outstanding seasons by being named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NJCAA Division I All-American teams.
Jones, a sophomore outfielder from West Branch, was named to the 16-player All-American first team. Kuba, from Cedar Rapids and a sophomore infielder, was a third-team selection. The two combined to lead Indian Hills in nearly every offensive category in 2018.
It was a record-setting year on the basepaths for Jones, who established an IHCC single-season record with 54 stolen bases, a total that was 7th nationally. Jones batted .414 with 70 hits, a team-leading 63 runs scored, and was not thrown out attempting to steal. She finished her career 61-out-of-62 in stolen base tries, a percentage of .984 that is tops all-time at Indian Hills.
Kuba paced the Warriors in seven offensive categories -- batting average (.422), doubles (23), triples (tied with 2), home runs (tied with 13), RBIs (60), total bases (131), and slugging percentage (.851). Her 23 doubles tied for 11th in the NJCAA and tied for 5th in a season in IHCC history. Kuba collected 65 hits and scored 55 runs.
Jones and Kuba earlier were named first-team All-Region and are members of the NFCA All-Midwest Region squad.