LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fifty outstanding softball players have been chosen for the 2018 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III National Player of the Year watch list, which will be paired down in the coming months, until just one player remains at the conclusion of the season.

Twenty-nine returning NFCA All-Americans top the list, including 11 first-team honorees, 11 second-team selections and seven from last year’s third team. The remaining 21 members of the group all earned first-team NFCA All-Region recognition last season.

Reigning national champion Virginia Wesleyan University and NCAA regional finalist Luther College have three players each on the initial list, including the Marlins’ lefty ace Hanna Hull, who won both Schutt Sports/NFCA National Freshman and Player of the Year honors last season. Eight others — Birmingham-Southern College, Moravian College, Salisbury University, St. Catherine University, St. John Fisher College, St. Olaf College, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Williams College — all have two players apiece, while 28 schools have one selection.

There are 24 seniors, 19 juniors and seven sophomores in the group.

The list is compiled annually by the NFCA’s Division III All-America committee. The list will subsequently be cut to 25 and 10 as the season progresses, before the winner is chosen following the completion of the NCAA Championship.

The list will be adjusted along the way to assure the best players are being considered, with the eventual winner coming from the group of 10 finalists.

To view and download the full list, please click HERE.