FULL WATCHLIST
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association released its Top 25 Schutt Sports/NFCA Player and Pitcher of the Year Watchlist on Thursday, and senior Rhiannon Sassman and freshman Teala Howard each earned a spot on the list.
 
Sassman has saved her best season for last, leading Division II with 8 triples and ranking in the top five in the Gulf South Conference in total bases (95; 3rd), batting (.432), slugging (.720; 4th), on-base percentage (.527; 5th), hits (57; 5th), RBIs (43; 5th), and doubles (13; 5th).
 
The senior currently ranks seventh in UWF history with a .370 career batting average, fourth with a .604 career slugging percentage, sixth with 44 career doubles, second with 24 career triples, and first with 31 times hit by pitch. Her 24 triples also lead all active Division II softball players, rank second among active players at any NCAA level, and are the most in GSC history.
 
Teala Howard has been electric in her first season with the Blue and Green, and she ranks in the top 20 in the country in hits (68; 10th), batting (.459; 17th), and stolen bases (37; 15th).
 
The Lake Butler, Florida, native is a three-time GSC Freshman of the Week and has reached base in 40 of 45 games played this season. In all, Howard leads UWF with 23 multi-hit games this year, and she has had multiple hits in five of her last nine games.
 
Sassman and Howard are two of three players from the GSC to make the list, joined by Shelby Booker from Alabama Huntsville. Additionally, UWF and Winona State are the only schools with multiple student-athletes on the watchlist.
 
The award will be cut down to 10 student-athletes on May 14, and the Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year will be announced on May 30.