Cassie Young Named to Top 50 Watch List

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Saint Mary's junior outfielder Cassie Young was one of 50 NCAA Division III softball players to be named to the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) National Player of the Year Watch List.

"It is truly an honor for Cassie to be named to this watch list by the NFCA," said head coach Kelli Zache. "She continues to grow as a selfless leader and keeps her focus on her teammates' successes over her own. Coming off of such a strong year last year as a sophomore, she has raised the bar on what her goals are for this season in how she is able to help the team win and reach our greater goals together. Our practice team's practice shirts have the saying 'We > Me' on the back, and Cassie is a true example of how the team is greater than any individual accolade or honor she might be considered for."

With more than 400 Division III member institutions sponsoring softball, the Top 50 list puts Young in exclusive yet not unfamiliar company. Last season, she was one of 120 Division III softball players to be named to their respective All-Region First Teams. Additionally, she was among the top 200 players in Division III statistically in batting average, total hits, runs batted in per game, doubles per game, runs per game, on base percentage, sacrifice flies, slugging percentage, and total RBI during the 2016 season.

Young is the first player in program history to have a spot on the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III National Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List. She joins Alma's Morgan Stratton as the only two representatives from Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association programs to be named to the list for 2017.