LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The NFCA revealed its recipients for the 2026 NJCAA Division III major awards on Wednesday.
Defending national champion North Dakota State College took home three of the four awards as Wildcat hurler and NFCA All-American Ella Stewart was voted as the NFCA Player and Portolite/NFCA Pitcher of the Year, marking the first time a student-athlete has swept the award across all the NFCA’s collegiate groups. It is also the third straight season NDSCS has swept the accolades and fourth in which it has taken home the pitching honor.
Additionally, All-Americans Izzy Parsons of NDSCS was voted the New Balance/NFCA Golden Shoe awardee and Joliet Junior College’s Lea Herkel was named the Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year.
Stewart posted a 20-5 record with a 2.28 ERA and three saves. She fanned 188 batters, issued just 17 free passes and recorded a 0.95 WHIP over 40 appearances, 27 starts and 147.1 innings of work. The sophomore hurler struck out nearly nine batters (8.93) per seven innings and held her opposition to a .216 batting average. Stewart finished ranked in the top 10 in wins (3rd), saves (t-3rd) and strikeouts (4th).
Herkel batted .439 with 18 doubles, 41 RBI and 54 runs scored on the season, helping Joliet to a national quarterfinal appearance. The sophomore catcher was nearly flawless in the field, posting a .994 fielding percentage, committing one error in 160 chances, and throwing out three base runners attempting to steal.
Parsons ran away with NJCAA DIII’s stolen base title, swiping 64 bases in 68 attempts, 11 more than her nearest competitor. She recorded multiple steals 18 times, with a season-best four stolen bases against Southwestern Community College, Dakota College at Bottineau and Miles Community College. Parsons, who also ranked fourth in runs scored (64), had three stolen bases in five games and two nine times.
The Player and Pitcher of the Year, along with the Golden Shoe, are nominated and voted on by the full NJCAA DIII head coaching membership. The Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year is awarded to the first-team All-America catcher.
2026 NFCA NJCAA DIII Major Awards
NFCA Player of the Year – Ella Stewart, North Dakota SCS
Portolite/NFCA Pitcher of the Year – Ella Stewart, North Dakota SCS
Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year – Lea Herkel, Joliet Junior College
New Balance/NFCA Golden Shoe – Izzy Parsons, North Dakota SCS
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