LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The National Fastpitch Coaches Associate (NFCA) today announced its 2026 Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist, with Saint Martin's infielder
Heather Ebner earning a spot on the list.
So far this season, Ebner leads all GNAC players with a .493 batting average and .593 on base percentage. She ranks second in the conference in slugging (.795) and second in on base + slugging (1.388). Ebner has helped the Saints to a 22-12 overall record and 7-1 clip in GNAC play, as Saint Martin's is currently riding a seven-game winning streak and seen wins in 15 of the team's last 16 games.
One hundred and eighteen student-athletes from across the country were revealed as part of the 2026 NFCA Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist.
The list is broken down into the eight NCAA Regions (Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West) with up to 15 student-athletes represented in each region. The list is compiled by the elected members of the NFCA Division II All-American Committee with one head coach representing each of the eight NCAA regions. To be eligible, a student-athlete's head coach must be a member.
Voted on by the NFCA's Division II All-American Committee, the 2026 NFCA Player of the Year and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year will be announced on May 27, a day prior to the start of the NCAA Division II National Championships. All student-athletes are eligible for the end-of-the-season award and do not have to be on this list to be considered.
| Shelby |
Shanks |
SS |
Sr. |
Cal Poly Humboldt |
CCAA |
West |
| Jill |
Albayati |
UT |
Sr. |
California State University San Marcos |
CCAA |
West |
| Marissa |
Quintero |
P |
Jr. |
California State University East Bay |
CCAA |
West |
| Morgan |
Kneubuhler |
C |
Jr. |
Concordia University Irvine |
PacWest |
West |
| Haley |
Rath |
SS |
Jr. |
Western Washington University |
GNAC |
West |
| Heather |
Ebner |
1B |
Jr. |
Saint Martin's University |
GNAC |
West |
| Maleah |
Andrews |
3B |
Jr. |
Western Washington University |
GNAC |
West |
| Maddy |
Ybarra |
UT |
Sr. |
Jessup University |
PacWest |
West |
| Jeslyn |
Cuellar |
SS |
Sr. |
California State University East Bay |
CCAA |
West |
| Kacie |
Gossett |
P |
So. |
Concordia University Irvine |
PacWest |
West |
| Jordan |
Hill |
P |
Gr. |
California State University San Marcos |
CCAA |
West |
| Shaunessy |
Cardwell |
1B |
Sr. |
San Francisco State University |
CCAA |
West |
| Julia |
Doan |
OF |
Jr. |
Azusa Pacific University |
PacWest |
West |
| Marissa |
Brody |
DP |
So. |
Cal Poly Humboldt |
CCAA |
West |
