EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Softball junior catcher Haley Hodges (Portage, Indiana) has been named the 2016 Diamond Sports Division II Catcher of the Year in an announcement by the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association (NFCA) Tuesday afternoon.
Hodges is one of 10 student-athletes amongst all NFCA levels, including NCAA (Divisions I, II and III), NAIA, NJCAA (Divisions I, II and III), California Junior College, Northwest Athletic Conference and high school, to earn the award.
The honor is the latest in a long list of accolades that Hodges has earned following the conclusion of her historic 2016 campaign. Hodges was named first-team All-America by Hero Sports, the NFCA and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association after compiling what is arguably the best offensive season in program history.
Hodges, the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year, set single-season school records for home runs (22), RBIs (72), walks (45), and runs scored (58).
Along with leading the nation in slugging percentage (1.000) and on-base percentage (.578), Hodges ranked third, nationally, in home runs. She led the GLVC in batting average (.458), runs scored, RBIs, and walks.
Additionally, Hodges was named second-team Academic All-America by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
USI ended the season with a 35-21 overall record in one of the best offensive years in program history. The Screaming Eagles broke single-season team records in runs scored (308), doubles (93), home runs (53), RBIs (278), and double plays (29).
The Eagles’ back-to-back NCAA II Tournament appearances marked the first time in program history that USI has made two-straight appearances.
A committee comprised of head coaches in each of the 10 divisions determined the winner of their respective Catcher of the Year award. The winners of the 2016 Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year award are listed below:
NCAA Division I: Lexie Elkins, Louisiana-Lafayette
NCAA Division II: Haley Hodges, Southern Indiana
NCAA Division III: Elaine Walker, Aurora University
NAIA: Randi Wimpy, Reinhardt University
NJCAA Division I: Amber Landry, Tyler JC
NJCAA Division II: Maddie Hansen, Kirkwood CC
NJCAA Division III: Lynnsie Collins, Rowan College at Gloucester College
California Junior College: Harlee Donovan, College of San Mateo
Northwest Athletic Conference: Darian Lindsey, Mt. Hood Community College
High School: Bailey Hemphill, St. Thomas Moore Catholic (La.)
