LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Over one hundred athletes from across the country have been named to the 2026 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Pitcher and Player of the Year watchlist. Two members of the Trine University softball team have been recognized including senior Debbie Hill and junior Tyra Marcum.

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.

Hill enters the season as a three-time All-America honoree, one of just two players on the watch list to have that resume. The New Whiteland, Ind. native was also the 2023 National Freshman of the Year. For her fourth straight season, Hill continues to make a difference both in the batters' box and pitching circle. At the plate she boasts a .659 slugging percentage and a 1.133 OPS. She is third on the team with 16 RBIs and second with a pair of home runs. Her pitching leads the team in every category. She sits at a 0.49 ERA, a 0.85 WHIP and has 34 strikeouts.

Marcum enters the season as a two-time All-America honoree, one of just seven student-athletes on the watch list that is a multiple year member. The Goshen, Ind. native was a finalist for the 2024 National Freshman of the Year award. This season the junior is pacing the Thunder at the plate. She leads the team with a .708 slugging percentage, 18 RBIs and three home runs.

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. All student-athletes are eligible for the end-of-the-season awards and do not have to be on this list to be considered.

The Thunder are set to open Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) competition by hosting Adrian College tomorrow, Friday, April 3. The doubleheader is set for a 1 p.m. first pitch.