LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The NFCA revealed its recipients for the 2026 NJCAA Division I major awards on Wednesday afternoon.
The Northeast Alabama Community College duo of Addie Edwards and Marti McCluskey were voted Portolite/NFCA Pitcher and NFCA Player of the Year with Northwest Florida State College’s Bre Hughes tabbed the New Balance/NFCA Gold Shoe recipient and McLennan Community College’s Traci Lowry named the Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year.
NFCA first-team All-American Edwards and third baseman McCluskey keyed NACC’s run to its first NJCAA DI national title just the program’s second year of collegiate softball. Edwards, one of the most dominant pitchers in NJCAA DI all season, finished a perfect 34-0 in 2026 and was named the NJCAA DI World Series’ Best Pitcher after throwing every pitch for the Mustangs in their five games. Not only was she the lone pitcher in Division I to eclipse 30 victories, she won the ERA title (1.12) and ranked first in WHIP (0.79) and fourth in strikeouts (219). Edwards, who appeared in 38 games, also earned three saves, held the opposition to a .176 batting average and issued just 35 walks over 211.2 innings of work.
Freshman McCluskey, who was near the top of numerous Alabama Community College Conference offensive categories, batted .429 with 22 doubles, 15 home runs, 78 RBI and 63 runs scored. She slugged .815, walked 30 times and reached base at a .505 clip. Named to the World Series All-Tournament team, McCluskey recorded at least one RBI in each contest, including a critical two-run single that sparked a six-run third in the title game against Temple College.
Lowry, the first team All-America catcher, batted .507 with 16 doubles, six triples, three home runs and 38 RBI. She posted a .545 on-base percentage, slugged .784 and struck out just 11 times in 154 plate appearances. The freshman was nearly flawless on defense with a .996 fielding percentage, committing just one miscue in 237 chances. Only 15 players attempted to steal against her with Lowry throwing out five of those (33 percent).
Hughes, who finished second overall in NJCAA DI, was a perfect 60 for 60 in stolen bases and was the only player inside the top 13 that was not caught this year, with the next closest perfect season at 40 steals. She swiped a season-best four bases against Louisburg College and Gulf Coast State College, three versus Olney Central College, Snow College and Lake Land College and two 12 different times. The sophomore middle infielder also ranked second in NJCAA DI with 89 runs and seventh with 42 walks, to go along with a .363 batting average, 14 doubles, six triples, 10 home runs, 47 RBI and a .520 on-base percentage.
The awards are voted on by the elected members of the NFCA NJCAA Division I All-American Committee with two head coaches representing each of the three NJCAA Division I regions. To be eligible, a student-athlete’s head coach must be a member.
2026 NFCA NJCAA DI Major Awards
NFCA Player of the Year – Marti McCluskey, Northeast Alabama CC
Portolite/NFCA Pitcher of the Year – Addie Edwards, Northeast Alabama CC
Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year – Traci Lowry, McLennan CC
New Balance/NFCA Golden Shoe – Bre Hughes, Northwest Florida State College
The awards are voted on by the elected members of the NFCA NJCAA Division I All-American Committee with two head coaches representing each of the three NJCAA Division I regions. To be eligible, a student-athlete’s head coach must be a member.
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