WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Success in the circle and in the classroom has brought senior Lilly Fecho her most recent accolade, Academic All-America third team selection. The pitcher is part of an elite group of just 34 Division I softball players, and just six pitchers, to receive the Academic All-America distinction across three teams.
The two-time Academic All-District 5 and three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree graduated in May with a degree in Mathematics.
In addition to her prowess in the classroom, Fecho made her mark on the field, setting the Purdue record for strikeouts in a game (19), season (295 in 2015) and career (817) in her four years as Boilermaker. In 2016, the three-time NFCA All-Region honoree ranked 17th nationally in strikeouts (219), while also ranking among the national top 75 in ERA and strikeouts per seven innings. She appeared in 39 games, starting 32 and posting an 18-14 record with 24 complete games, five shutouts and three saves, ranking fourth in Purdue season history in saves. The Carol Stream, Illinois, native boasted a 2.05 ERA with 219 strikeouts in 218.1 innings of work, ranking second in Purdue history in season K's, including one no-hitter. She struck out five or more batters in 22 games, including 10 or more five times and a season-best 15 K's against Southern Utah in the season opener. Fecho pitched nearly 60 percent of the team's innings and saw action in 39 of 55 games. The first team All-Big Ten selection and three-time Pitcher of the Week honoree led all Big Ten players in innings pitched and looking strikeouts (61), and ranked third in ERA and strikeouts, fourth in wins and tied for seventh in opponent batting average (.229). In conference play, she ranked second in saves (3), looking strikeouts (28) and innings pitched (103.2), fourth in ERA (2.30), fourth in strikeouts (82) and 10th in wins (5).
All told, Fecho was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree and five-time Big Ten Pitcher of the Week selection. She compiled a 67-63 record with a 2.43 ERA and 8.17 strikeouts in 840.1 innings, including two no-hitters and five one-hitters. She struck out five or more batters in 80 contests, including 10 or more in 20 games. The lefty wrapped her career ranked first in career strikeouts, second in games started (125), third in wins, complete games (87) and innings pitched and tied for third in appearances (160).
Fecho is Purdue softball's first Academic All-America selection since Andie Varsho garnered first team acclaim in 2014. Her selection is the eighth in program history.