NFCA DIVISION III PLAYER/PITCHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Salisbury University sophomore outfielder Abby Mace was announced as one of the 15 finalists for the 2021 Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III National Pitcher and Player of the Year.

The Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) Player of the Year, Mace was named on the NFCA All-Atlantic Region First Team along with earning a spot on the All-C2C First Team.

Mace led the conference in several offensive categories including; batting average, runs scored, slugging percentage, doubles, home runs and stolen bases. Mace mashed 13 home runs with 42 hits, 34 runs scored, 31 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and 10 doubles so far in 2021. Mace slashed .442/.542/.958 at the leadoff spot for SU.

In the nation, Mace sits ninth in home runs per game (.40) and 11th in home runs (13). Mace is also ranked nationally in slugging percentage (12th, .913) and walks per game (18th, 0.70).

Mace was the lone C2C representative on the list.

The award, which was established in 2016 to honor the outstanding athletic achievements of softball players in NCAA Division III, was split into separate Player and Pitcher of the Year awards in 2019. To be eligible, a student-athlete's head coach must be an NFCA-member head coach. With the cancellation of last year's season due to COVID-19 and a higher percentage of eligible candidates, an additional five athletes have been added to the traditional top 10.

The 2021 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III National Pitcher and Player of the Year, selected by the NFCA Division III All-America Committee, will be revealed on June 3.

To view the full NFCA release, CLICK HERE.