NFCA RELEASE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Washington University in St. Louis softball junior pitcher Maria Brooks and first-year outfielder Julia Sullo were named to the 2026 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Pitcher and Player of the Year watchlist, the organization announced on Thursday afternoon.
 
A total of 118 student-athletes from across the country earned a spot on this list, which was broken down into 10 regions and compiled by the elected members of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee.
 
Brooks is the top pitcher for the Bears for the third-straight season and currently has an 8-0 record on the year. She's made nine appearances in the circle with six starts, recording five complete games with one shutout. Her eight wins and five complete games ranks first among UAA pitchers. Additionally, she leads the Bears with 50.2 innings pitched and has a UAA-low 1.38 ERA. This marks the second year in a row that Brooks has earned a spot on the list.
 
Sullo has made an immediate impact for the Bears in her first season, leading the team with a .485 batting average. She has played in 20 games with 18 starts, tallying a team-high 32 hits including two doubles, three triples and two homeruns. Sullo has scored 24 runs and tallied 16 RBI. Additionally, the speedy Sullo has stolen 25 bases in 26 attempts, which leads the UAA.
 
Brooks, Sullo and the Bears are back at home this weekend for a UAA series against NYU. On Friday, the teams face-off in a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m., followed by a single game on Saturday at a time TBD.
 
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