Northeast Alabama softball stars named All-American, Pitcher and Player of the Year

Northeast Alabama Community College solidified its status as a softball powerhouse this season. After capturing the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I championship, the Mustangs placed three standout freshmen on the prestigious National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American team.

Top Honors for the Mustangs

The accolades extended far beyond the roster. Addie Edwards made history as the Portolite/NFCA Pitcher of the Year, while third baseman Marti McCluskey was crowned the NFCA Player of the Year. Both athletes earned first-team All-American honors, leading a trio of Northeast standouts that included second-team outfielder Lorelai Sullivan.

Edwards was statistically dominant, finishing her season with a flawless 34-0 record. She stood alone as the only Division I pitcher to eclipse 30 wins, posting a 1.12 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP. During the team's five-game title run, the Georgia native threw every single inning, proving her status as the NJCAA Division I World Series’ Best Pitcher.

McCluskey provided the offensive firepower to match, hitting .429 with 15 home runs and 78 RBIs. Her ability to deliver in the clutch was on full display during the World Series, where she recorded at least one RBI in every game. This included a pivotal two-run single that ignited a six-run rally in the championship victory against Temple (Texas) College.

Alabama Representation Across the Board

Northeast Alabama wasn't the only local program to earn recognition. Wallace State-Hanceville sophomore catcher Brooklynn Sertell, an alumnus of St. Clair County High School, secured a spot on the second team. Gadsden State Community College also made the list, with freshman utility player and Alexandria High graduate Pressley Slaton receiving second-team honors.

2026 NFCA NJCAA Division I All-American Selections

First Team

• Addie Edwards (P), Northeast Alabama Community College
• Zoe Yzaguirre (P), Florida SouthWestern State College
• Izzy Garcia (P), Temple (Texas) College
• Tracy Lowry (C), McLennan (Texas) Community College
• Allie Wainwright (1B), Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College
• Annalyn Duncan (2B), Eastern Florida College
• Marti McCluskey (3B), Northeast Alabama Community College
• Caroline Mito (SS), Miami Dade College
• Noelani Livingston (OF), Florida SouthWestern College
• Christi McGuire (OF), Paris (Texas) Junior College
• Chayne Allen (OF), McLennan (Texas) Community College
• Avery Velazquez (UTL/P), Eastern Florida State College
• Madelyn Perez (DP/UTL), San Jacinto (Texas) College-South
• Savanah Carter (At-Large/P), Northwest Florida State College
• Natalie Moreaux (At-Large/P), Grayson (Texas) College
• Madison Velazquez (At-Large/1B), Eastern Florida State College
• Aracelis Jimenez (At-Large/OF), Eastern Florida State College
• Grace McDonald (At-Large/UTL/P), Paris (Texas) Junior College

Second Team

• Olivia Garrett (P), McLennan (Texas) Community College
• Aidan Ledbetter (P), Gaston (N.C.) College
• Jessica Smith (P), Arizona Western College
• Brooklynn Sertell (C), Wallace State-Hanceville Community College
• Reese Cottrell (1B), Temple (Texas) College
• Alexis Ortiz (2B), Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College
• Alexys Cornejo (3B), Midland (Texas) College
• Irene Rabasco (SS), Chipola (Fla.) College
• Lorelai Sullivan (OF), Northeast Alabama Community College
• Aniyah Pequeno (OF), Grayson (Texas) College
• Addison Beech (OF), Walters State (Tenn.) Community College
• Pressley Slaton (UT/P), Gadsden State Community College
• Kaelani Rogers (DP/UTL), McLennan (Texas) Community College
• Kaci Gobert (At-Large/C), Paris (Texas) Junior College
• Maysen Kurene-Iwikau (At-Large/SS), Garden City (Kan.) Community College
• Kamryn Messick (At-Large/OF), Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College
• Molly Bender (At-Large/OF), Santa Fe (Fla.) College
• Meena Taylor (At-Large/P), Jefferson (Mo.) College