2026 NFCA Players & Pitchers Watchlist 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Following a historic start to her junior campaign, TCNJ Softball's Maya Knasiak has been named to the 2026 National Fastpitch Coaches Association's (NFCA) Division III Pitcher of the Year Watchlist. The junior is among 118 student-athletes recognized across the country for both the Pitcher and Player of the Year awards, and is one of just 10 from Region IV to make the list.
 
Knasiak has been nothing short of dominant to open the season, compiling a 10-1 record that includes nine complete games and eight shutouts – the latter of which leads Division III. The junior is also best in the nation in WHIP (0.49) while ranking second in hits allowed per seven innings (2.64), fourth in strikeouts (98) and fifth in ERA (0.41). Of note, Knasiak has not allowed a run in her last 45.1 innings pitched.
 
The junior has paired her command in the circle with an impressive run of play at the dish. In 41 plate appearances Knasiak is slashing .415/.478/.707 with four doubles, one triple and a team-best two home runs, batting in twice as many runs herself (12) as she has allowed (6) all season.
 
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 May 27 prior to the start of the NCAA Division III World Series.
 
The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded NFCA Player and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from webinars to legal counsel, to in-person events and the National Convention.