Softball player named finalist: Division III National Freshman of Year
Published 05.22.2024
Penn College freshman softball player Grace Lorson has been named a finalist for the Tucci/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III National Freshman of Year.
The award annually honors the outstanding athletic achievement of freshmen in NCAA Division III. The regional finalists and the winner are chosen by the NFCA All-America Committee, which includes one representative for each of the 10 regions. To be eligible, student-athletes must come from an NFCA member institution.
The winner of the 2024 Tucci/NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year award will be announced on May 28.
Lorson, a physical therapist assistant student from Williamsport, was named to the United East Second Team after her rookie campaign in which she started in every game for the 2024 United East Champion Wildcats. In the regular season, she was fourth on the team with a .339 batting average and second with a .508 slugging percentage while collecting 42 hits, nine doubles, three triples and two home runs. Lorson drove in 22 RBIs, scored 42 times and swiped a team-high 19 stolen bases. She posted 12 multi-hit games and four three-hit games. Lorson was named United East Player of the Week on April 8.
Representing Region IV, Lorson joins nine other players from around the country as a finalist, including: Williams College's Katie Blanch (Region I), Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Riley O'Brien (Region II), the University of Rochester's Riley Laygo (Region III), Eastern University's Danika Barthol (Region V), Emory University's Ellie Zerr (Region VI), Trine University's Tyra Marcum (Region VII), University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Morgan Harwood (Region VIII), Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's Makayla Steffes (Region IX) and Linfield University's Tyler McNeley (Region X).
The 2024 Penn College softball season came to a close on May 17 in the NCAA Division III Bethlehem Regional. The team finished its season with a 30-12 record and a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in four seasons.
For more Wildcats softball news, visit the Athletics site.