Louisvillie, KY --- WPI first-year pitcher Abby Merchant (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) has been selected as the Region II finalist for the 2026 NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year award as announced recently by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

Merchant joins Tufts' Paige Murphy (Region I), Nazareth's Alexis Brown (Region III), Stockton's Camryn Harry (Region IV), Muhlenberg's Josie Hoffacker (Region V), Piedmont's Anslee Saunchegraw (Region VI), Heidelberg's Cara Meyer (Region VII), Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Kiran Sanford (Region VIII), Bethany Lutheran's Olivia Sanborn (Region IX) and East Texas Baptist's Emma Boren (Region X) as the other regional finalists.

The rookie right-hander put together one of the most dominant debut campaigns in program history while helping guide the Engineers to a 44-5 overall record, NEWMAC regular season and tournament championships and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Merchant finished the spring with a 25-1 record and a 2.15 ERA across 146.1 innings in the circle. She struck out 88 batters, tossed 13 complete games and recorded four shutouts while quickly emerging as one of the top pitchers in Division III softball.

Earlier this postseason, Merchant was voted the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year after leading the conference in overall victories and conference wins. She also garnered first team All-NEWMAC and NFCA Region II First Team accolades while helping anchor one of the top pitching staffs in New England.

Merchant's lone loss of the season came in WPI's final game of the year in the NCAA Worcester Regional championship against UMass Dartmouth. The Engineers advanced to the regional final after capturing both the NEWMAC regular season and tournament titles for the first time since 2019.

Seven of the 10 finalists competed in the NCAA Division III Regionals, while all 10 finalists earned NFCA All-Region recognition this season. Merchant was one of eight finalists selected to the first team in their respective region and one of three finalists to also earn conference Rookie of the Year honors.

The award annually honors the outstanding athletic achievement of freshmen in NCAA Division III. The regional finalists and winner are selected by the NFCA Division III All-America Committee, which includes one representative from each of the NCAA's 10 regions.

The winner of the 2026 NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year award will be announced May 26 on NFCA.org and the organization's social media channels.

WPI concluded the 2026 campaign with a 44-5 overall record, setting a new program record for victories while earning the program's fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. The Engineers claimed both the NEWMAC regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Worcester Regional championship game.

NFCA Release