Sophomore Erica Miller has joined elite Cyclone company, as she was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. The Second Team honor marks the 30th time an Iowa State softball player has been selected to the All-Big 12 squad.

“It’s great for Erica to be selected to the All-Conference team. She’s been steady in our lineup all year and is very deserving of this honor,” said Cyclone coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler.

The second year stand out from California made her presence known both offensively and defensively. Miller’s biggest impact came in the home run race. Miller tied for the team lead in longballs, collecting 11 on the season.

With 11 dingers, Miller catapulted to the top of the Iowa State all-time list, and is now tied with Lindsey Herrin for single-season home runs.

The Cyclone first baseman also rocketed seven home runs during her freshman campaign, 18 thus far in her career. Miller is only 10 homers shy of setting the career ISU record.

 Miller led the team in RBI’s, finishing out the season runner-up in hits, total bases, and slugging percentage.

“She understands how to tweak her approach and her mentality; she’s very quick at adjusting where she needs,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said of Miller, “She needs to keep doing what she’s doing and she’ll continue to get stronger.”

Starting all 49 of the Cyclone’s contests this year, Miller was also an integral component of the Iowa State defense. As the cornerstone at first base, Miller was second on team in fielding percentage.

According to Gemeinhardt-Cesler, Miller makes her greatest strides when no one is watching. The Cyclone coach has noticed Miller’s growth during the offseason and credits that work ethic with “really making the biggest difference.”

Texas led all schools with seven selections, while Oklahoma and Missouri each received six selections.

Miller’s All-Big 12 nod is a sign of things to come for the hard-nosed hitter. With two more years of eligibility and a reservoir of power, Miller has the opportunity to rise to the pinnacle of Cyclone and Big 12 softball, and beyond.