[05/24/01] The only doubt about where Mississippi State’s Kellie Wilkerson would be on the All-America team was where. The answer turned out to be “all of the above.”

Wilkerson, who set school records in home runs, stolen bases and slugging percentage this season and was also a dominant pitcher, was selected to the NFCA All-America first team as a utility player Wednesday, the second straight season she made the elite squad.

“Kellie is one of the most dominant players in the SEC,” MSU coach Kathy Arendsen said. “She makes a real statement with how she plays the game. She is a strong and confident player with great skill.”

Wilkerson, a Jacksonville, Fla., native, hit .419 this season with 28 extra-base hits and a team-best 33 RBIs, and drew 48 walks one off her school record of 49, set last season and scored 55 runs. She set school records with 14 home runs, 35 stolen bases and a .766 slugging percentage.

Wilkerson struck out only 14 times in 167 at-bats, but made life miserable for opposing hitters as well as pitchers.

As State’s closer, she went 9-1 with an 0.44 ERA, striking out 48 in 47-2/3 innings.

She went 42 innings without allowing a run, gave up 10 hits all season, and tied for the NCAA lead with 10 saves while finishing off four shutouts.

Earlier this season, Wilkerson captured first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors for the third straight season, added a spot on the SEC’s academic honor roll, and was picked to the All-SEC Tournament team after hitting .333 with one home run in the conference tournament.