Former Pelham High School softball standout Kelsey Dennis, a Helena native, was recently named a first-team National Junior College Athletic Association Division I All-American following her sophomore season at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.

Dennis posted a sparkling 31-1 record this season with a 0.73 earned run average, recording 250 strikeouts in 211 2/3 innings. The left-hander tossed 19 complete games, including nine shutouts, and added a team-best .355 batting average at the plate as Wallace State finished 62-9.

During the postseason, Dennis was named the Alabama Community College Conference Region 22 tournament Co-MVP as Wallace State won its fourth consecutive state title. Two weeks later, she picked up four wins at the NJCAA National Championship tournament in St. George, Utah, helping the Lady Lions finish national runner-up for the second year in a row.

In addition to Dennis’ accolades this year, she was a NJCAA first-team All-American in 2009 after finishing with a 34-4 record and a 0.84 earned run average. Dennis was the NJCAA Region XXII Player of the Year, an ACCC All-Tournament selection and was named to the National Coaches Association All-South Region first team.

Dennis leaves Wallace State as a two-time first-team All-American and the school leader in career wins with 65 and strikeouts with 590. Dennis has committed to play her final two seasons at Texas Tech University.