In a Chico State career that includes nearly dozens of victories, hundreds of strikeouts, and a boatload full of awards, Brooke Larsen has certainly made a name for herself in the annals of Wildcat softball history. Wednesday, the ace righthander can add All-America status to her dizzying list of achievements in the pitcher's circle. Wednesday Larsen was among a group of 18 Division II softball players nationwide to be named Second Team All-America by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
"Brooke will go down as one of the greatest pitchers in Chico State softball history," said Wildcats head coach Angel Shamblin after being notified of Larsen's latest honor. "She is one of the greatest competitors and hardest workers I have ever had the privilege to coach. Brooke has earned every bit of this All-America award."
The NFCA All-America teams are voted on by the Association's All-America Committees. In Division II, the committee is comprised of one member head coach from each of the NCAA's eight regions. All student-athletes who were nominated by a member head coach and voted to the first- and second-team All-Region teams were eligible for All-America consideration.
This marks the first All-America honor for Larsen since joining the Wildcats in 2019, but it is actually the second time she's received the award. As a true freshman in 2018, Larsen was named First Team All-America while pitching for Academy of Art.
Larsen was one of just six NCAA West Region softball players to earn All-America honors in 2022. San Francisco State outfielder Brylynn Vallejos was also a Second Team selection, with three other CCAA players receiving Third Team All-America accolades.
Earlier this month, Larsen was named First Team All-West Region and the 2022 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Most Valuable Pitcher on the strength of a 19-6 record while leading all conference hurlers in earned run average (1.34), shutouts (11), complete games (23), strikeouts (239), and opponent batting average (.186). The Sacramento product was also a First Team All-CCAA selection and was twice chosen as the CCAA Pitcher of the Week, helping lead Chico State to a 37-17 season record and the program's sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament.
Larsen ranked 13th among Division II pitchers nationwide in strikeouts, No. 20 in complete games, and No. 26 in ERA.
Larsen leaves the program as Chico State softball's all-time ERA leader (1.49), while ranking third in career wins (48), shutouts (23), and strikeouts (480).
Larsen, who graduated last week with a bachelor's degree in graphic design, has also distinguished herself in the classroom, earning six CCAA All-Academic honors, two College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team awards, and the 2021 NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete Award. Larsen is currently in the running for CoSIDA Academic All-America honors.
