Rogers State softball’s Sara Llama-Howell has been named to the Tucci/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist, the organization announced on Thursday.
Llama-Howell was one of 15 players from the Central Region included on the watchlist, including nine players from the MIAA. The Pawnee, Okla. native is having an outstanding year in the circle for the Hillcats as she leads the MIAA with a 0.81 ERA in 78.0 innings with a 11-1 record, only allowing opposing hitters a .176 batting average. The senior has also struck out 63 batters.
Rogers State is familiar with this award as former Hillcat All-American Andrea Morales earned the 2022 NFCA Pitcher of the Year award after leading RSU to its first Division II National Championship last season.
The list is compiled and the award is voted on by the elected members of the NFCA Division II All-American Committee with one head coach representing each of the eight NCAA regions. To be eligible, a student-athlete’s head coach must be a member. Voted on by the NFCA’s Division II All-American Committee, the 2023 Tucci/NFCA Player and Pitcher of the Year will be announced on June 1. All student-athletes are eligible for the end-of-the-season award and do not have to be on this list to be considered.
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