National Fastpitch Coaches Association

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jasmin Estrada, assistant coach at Augustana University, is the 2026 recipient of the NFCA Access & Opportunity Scholarship presented in partnership with the Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes (ELLA) Sports Foundation. Estrada will receive funding to attend the 2026 NFCA National Convention at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Neosho’s (Mo.) Sadee Leach and Liberty’s (Mo.) Lucy Reliford garnered the latest GameChanger/NFCA Fall High School National Player and Pitcher of the Week honors of the 2026 season, the Association announced on Monday. Junior catcher Leach went 4-for-5 (.800) last week for the Wildcats with two doubles, a homer, a walk and four RBI.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Undefeated Oklahoma teams continue to lead the way in the GameChanger/NFCA Summer-Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll, occupying four of the top five spots, the Association announced on Thursday afternoon. Lone Grove (34-0) is the No. 1 team for a third straight week, after adding a regional tournament title with victories over Bridge Creek and Elk City by a combined 20-0 margin. Blanchard (31-0) remains second, while Broken Arrow (32-0) is fourth and Enid (33-0) is fifth.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Virginia Glory was voted by its peers as the 2026 ATEC/NFCA Travel Ball National Coaching Staff of the Year, the Association announced on Wednesday afternoon. Under the direction of head coach and NFCA Hall of Famer Suzy Willemssen and assistant coach Kevin Bednoski, VA Glory capped off a successful season with a Tier II national championship at The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The NFCA is pleased to announce Amber Wilson, head coach at Frankfort High School (Mich.), as the 2026 recipient of the Wade J. Bruggeman Memorial Scholarship for High School Coaches. Wilson will receive funding to attend the 2026 NFCA National Convention, Dec. 9-12 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. Included is a complimentary Convention registration, $700 in travel reimbursement and up to four nights paid at the Convention host hotel.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Smithville’s (Mo.) Shelby Callahan and Putnam County’s (Mo.) Rory Gilworth garnered the latest GameChanger/NFCA Fall High School National Player and Pitcher of the Week honors of the 2026 season, the Association announced on Monday. Senior shortstop Callahan batted .857 to help fuel a 3-1 week for the Warriors. She went 12-of-14 with 10 runs, five doubles, a triple, two home runs, nine RBI and two stolen bases.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Roxanne Rehberg, head coach of the United States Naval Academy’s club program, is the first recipient of the brand-new Carolyn Watley Memorial Scholarship for Moms Who Coach, a national tribute to the women who built our game from the bleachers up. This scholarship is presented by Natasha Watley, the Natasha Watley Foundation (NWF) and Sue Enquist, NFCA Hall of Famer and former UCLA head coach.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Another unbeaten week kept Lone Grove perfect and in the No. 1 position in the GameChanger/NFCA Summer-Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll for a second straight week, the Association announced on Thursday afternoon. The (32-0) Longhorns allowed just one run while scoring 50 over their six victories this week. They went 4-0 at the Branson (Mo.) Festival, then blanked both Byng and Sulphur the past two days.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Arcadia University’s Kylie Balthaser is the 2026 recipient of the Geri Ann Glasco Memorial Scholarship, created in partnership with the Natasha Watley Foundation and the Glasco family. Balthaser will receive funding to attend the 2026 NFCA National Convention, Dec.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Highlighted by half the 2026 Women’s College World Series field, the schedule has been revealed and tickets are available for the 24th NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic presented by MaxBP, Feb 11-14 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla. WCWS national runner-up Texas Tech, semifinalist Tennessee, Mississippi State and Nebraska headline a premier four-day showcase of collegiate softball. There is a tournament-record 49 games on the opening weekend of NCAA DI softball.