Avendano Fori named First-Team All-American
Garden City, KS-Maria Avendano Fori made history on Thursday.
The sophomore outfielder, who finished third in the nation in home runs, became Garden City's first, first-team NJCAA All-American in program history.
"Maria was undoubtedly one of the best all-around players in the country," Head Coach, Belinda Hendrix said. "This is a testament to the work she put in this season."
Avendano Fori, who launched a program-record 27 long balls during the 2025 campaign, recorded six multi-homer games including two moon shots in a dramatic, 23-22 victory over Hutchinson on April 17 that snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Blue Dragons. In fact, it was her second home run of the day that sparked a five-run ninth, which was capped by Mara Vonk's walk-off shot that won it. She also homered twice vs. Seward, Pratt, Frank Phillips, and Trinidad State.
"Maria was the complete package," Hendrix added. "And it wasn't just her offense. She covered a lot of ground in the outfield."
The sophomore, who became Garden City's first All-American since Nya Chacon earned second-team honors in 2021 is only the sixth Broncbuster in history to be named to the prestigious squad joining outfielder Becky Diehl in 2008 (3rd team), Diehl in 2007 (2nd team), outfielder, Lorel Palmer in 2005 (3rd team), and outfielder, Teri McKay in 2001 (2nd team).
Avendano Fori finished fourth in the nation with a program-record 101 RBI, sixth in slugging percentage (1.127), and eighth in batting average (.500). She produced 27 multi-hit games including a season-high four vs. Fort Hays Tech on March 12. She drove in a season-high six runs in a 17-9 win vs. Seward County on April 23.
"We don't get within striking distance of the World Series without Maria," Hendrix said.
Avendano Fori was part of a Broncbuster squad that won 29 games, the most in a single season since 2012 when Garden City finished 34-25.