North Georgia's McMillan earns NFCA All-American honors

The University of North Georgia placed Kim McMillan on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Third-Team as it was announced Wednesday night at the NCAA Banquet in Salem, Virginia, site of the 2013 Division II College World Series.

McMillan, named as a catcher to the team, joined fellow Peach Belt Conference third baseman Kacie Patterson of Armstrong Atlantic State University on the third team. Columbus State University pitcher Mollie Russell was named to the second team.

In all, 45 players from 36 different institutions were named to the All-American teams. Midwestern State led all schools with four total All-Americans as well as a trio of first-team recipients, while Indianapolis boasted three selections and California (Pa.), Cal State Dominguez Hills, Valdosta State and Barry followed closely behind with two nods each. Of the eight teams who advanced to Salem, Va., for the upcoming NCAA Division II Championship over May 23-27, seven of those, Central Oklahoma, Molloy, Grand Valley State, Valdosta State, Texas Woman's, Armstrong Atlantic and Humboldt State, each had representation on this year's NFCA All-American teams.

McMillan, a sophomore from Powder Springs, Ga., spent her first year of her collegiate career at Purdue University where she was Big Ten Freshman of the Week on February 28, 2011. She attended Hillgrove High School prior to going to Purdue. At Hillgrove, she was a member of the All-Region and All-State teams in 2010.

In her first season in a North Georgia uniform, McMillan came in and provided immediate firepower for the Saints' offense as well as offering solid defense at multiple positions as she started all 50 games for North Georgia. On offense, McMillan is currently in the top-10 in the PBC in 10 different offensive categories including leading the conference with 28 extra base hits, 114 total bases and is tied for tops in the conference with 15 doubles. For the season, McMillan collected 61 hits, 43 runs, 42 runs batted in and 13 home runs. She recorded multiple hits in a game 13 times this season including five games with three hits. Defensively, she played three different positions this season starting the season in left field while also playing some at first base before moving behind the plate late in the season. McMillan has recorded 160 putouts and 22 assists with a fielding percentage of .978 and was a two-time PBC Player of the Week (Mar. 18 & Mar. 25).

Earlier this month, she was named to the NFCA All-Southeast Region First-Team and the Daktronics All-Southeast Region First-Team as well. McMillan was an honorable mention for the Daktronics All-America Team. She was also a Peach Belt Conference All-Conference team member as announced before the start of the conference tournament.

McMillan led the Saints to a 36-14 record that saw the Saints make a fifth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Saints also finished third in the PBC regular season.