LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Piedmont softball freshman shortstop Anslee Saunchegraw was one of 118 players named to the NFCA Player and Pitcher of the Year Watch List, revealed late last week.

The list is separated into the 10 NCAA regions and is compiled by the elected members of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee with one head coach representing each of the 10 NCAA regions.

Saunchegraw has burst onto the scene in her debut season with the Lions, racking up numerous awards through the first portion of her 2026 campaign. The Covington, Georgia native was named NFCA National Player of the Week on March 10.

She has been named the Collegiate Conference of the South Player of the Week once and Rookie of the Week twice, including the past two weeks.

Saunchegraw is looking to become the first NFCA All-American for Piedmont softball since Mariann Kennison and Hannah Hoban earned honors in 2019.
 

Voted on by the NFCA's Division III All-America Committee, the 2026 NFCA Player and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year winners will be announced on May 27 prior to the start of the NCAA Division III World Series.

Student-athletes do not have to be on this watchlist to be considered for end-of-season awards, which will be voted on by the members of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee. To be eligible to be selected for NFCA Player and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year honors, a student-athlete's head coach must be a member.

The NFCA Player of the Year award was created in 2016 to honor outstanding softball achievement in NCAA Division III. In 2019, the Association expanded the award to include separate Player and Pitcher of the Year honors.