Softball | 4/3/2026 10:30:14 AM
Sophomore Kaijah Alexander of Nazareth University, junior Emily McManus of St. John Fisher University, graduate student Annabella Putnam of Russell Sage College and junior Samantha Vidal of Alfred University were named to the 2026 NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) Division III Player and Pitcher of the Year Watchlist from Region III.
A total of 118 student-athletes were honored from the nation's 10 regions.
Alexander, a sophomore pitcher and infielder from Long Beach, CA, is off to a strong start in 2026, batting .325 with two homeruns, two doubles and 10 RBIs in 12 games. She has a .925 OPS on the season. She is a career .493 hitter to date with 29 extra-base hits and 65 RBI in 46 contests. Last season, Alexander was named the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, earned NFCA All-Region first team and NFCA third team All-American accolades after hitting .558 with 55 RBI.
McManus, a junior outfielder from Rochester, NY, has started her season with a .524 batting average and 1.697 OPS. She is currently 22-for-42 on the season and has six homeruns, four doubles, and 22 RBI. McManus ranked 21st among the current Division III leaders in batting average. McManus was named the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year, earned NFCA All-Region first team and NFCA third team All-American after hitting .445 with 44 RBI.
Putnam, a transfer graduate student pitcher from Prattsburgh, NY, has started her season 2-2 in the circle. She has made eight appearances with five starts with one save. She has a 2.45 ERA with 45 strikeouts.
Vidal, a junior outfielder and catcher from Lake Worth, FL, is off to a hot start in 2026, batting .477 with one homerun, two doubles, two triples and six RBI in 14 games. She has a 1.185 OPS on the season. She has added 16 runs scored and a league-high 19 stolen bases. She was an Empire 8 second team all-conference selection in 2025 and a third team pick in 2024, and has earned an E8 Player of the Week nod for the 2026 season.
Empire 8 league play is under way with all teams playing this weekend. St. John Fisher and Alfred have combined to win the last eight Empire 8 Championships. The Saxons are the defending league champions, while St. John Fisher won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.