The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 16/18 Softball’s Jefferson & Dolcini named NFCA All-Americans
06.01.2022 | Softball
Jefferson is the second Texas player & 40th in D1 softball history to be named a four-time All-American
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – As a result of their outstanding individual contributions while helping power Texas softball (43-19-1) to its sixth all-time berth at the Women's College World Series, senior second baseman Janae Jefferson (second team) and senior pitcher Hailey Dolcini (third team) have each been voted as 2022 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Americans according to a Wednesday release from the Association.
In the process, Jefferson joins an exclusive club by becoming just the second Texas player (joining the legendary Cat Osterman) and 40th player in Division I softball history to be selected as a four-time NFCA All-American.
Dolcini's NFCA All-American honor is the first of her standout career and adds to an impressive list of 2022 accomplishments that already included nods as a top 10 national finalist for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award, a Senior CLASS Second Team All-American and a D1Softball Second Team All-American.
Over the history of the Texas softball program, the Longhorns have now had 13 total players earn 25 all-time NFCA All-America selections.
A unanimous selection to the All-Big 12 Conference First Team and a 2022 D1Softball Second Team All-American, Jefferson has continued producing at her usual standout level over her final season wearing the Burnt Orange & White. The Humble, Texas, native currently ranks second in all of NCAA Division I in total hits (87) and fourth in doubles (22). She also rates second in the Big 12 in batting average (.431), third in runs scored (70), fourth in steals (16) & total bases (131) and fifth in on-base percentage (.502). Jefferson currently leads UT with a career-best 29 multi-hit games and recently managed a career-long 24-game reached base streak from March 26-May 22. She's made plenty of statistical history this year by becoming the Big 12 career hits leader, the Longhorns all-time games played & started leader and just the second UT player to reach the 200-run scored plateau. Jefferson also recently broke the Texas career doubles record, formerly held by Jodi Reeves & Kaitlyn Washington, as well as single-season marks for runs, hits and doubles. She's been at her very best during Texas' seven-game 2022 NCAA Tournament run, hitting at a .522 clip (12-for-23) with nine runs, three doubles, three HR's and a 1.620 OPS.
Dolcini has served as the Longhorns ace from the circle as a "super senior," registering a 22-10 overall record with a 2.19 ERA, 15 complete games, four solo shutouts and 210 strikeouts over a staff-high 195.0 innings of work. The Ferndale, Calif., product currently leads the Big 12 Conference in total victories, starts (28) and innings pitched, ranks second in strikeouts and complete games and is fifth in opponent batting average (.173). As of June 1, the 2022 Senior CLASS Award Top 10 national finalist and All-Big 12 Conference First Team selection has won 18 of her last 25 decisions dating back to March 12, including victories over Minnesota, No. 23 Louisiana, No. 20 LSU, Lamar, Texas State, Kansas (two), Iowa State (two), No. 1 Oklahoma, Texas Tech (three), Baylor (two) No. 11 Washington (two) and No. 4 Arkansas. For her efforts this year, Dolcini was twice chosen as the Wilson/NFCA National Pitcher of the Week & three times as the Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Week. Since beginning her final NCAA Tournament run, the 6-0 right hander has proven her resiliency, posting three road wins over nationally-ranked foes with a 1.52 ERA, four complete games and 21 K's over 32.1 innings pitched. At one point, Dolcini threw 535 total pitches over a seven-day span in helping Texas win the NCAA Seattle Regional and even up the NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional at a game apiece.
