LOUISVILLE, Ky. – National Champion North Dakota College of Science swept this year’s quartet of NFCA NJCAA Division III major awards, the Association announced on Tuesday afternoon.
North Dakota SCS’s battery of Caitlyn Dannenfelzer and Emma Johnson were named Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. Dannenfelzer also earned Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year honors with Meridith Frey capturing the New Balance Golden Shoe award. This trio was part of North Dakota SCS’s five NFCA All-Americans that keyed the Wildcats to their second NJCAA DIII national crown in the last three seasons.
Dannenfelzer batted .384 with 10 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 52 RBI and 75 runs scored. She swiped 40 bases, drew 29 walks and reached base at a .472 clip. She ranked top-10 national in runs scored (3rd), stolen bases (5th), walks (5th), base hits (8th-68). Dannenfelzer sported a .988 fielding percentage and threw out nine runners attempting to steal.
Johnson, who was the Joan Joyce Utility/Pitcher All-American, was 12-5 with a 2.30 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 103.2 innings of work. She fanned 7.1 batters per seven innings, recorded a 0.95 WHIP and three saves. At the plate, Johnson batted .373 with 10 doubles, nine home runs, 64 RBI and 40 runs scored.
Frey stole a NJCAA DIII-best 63 bases in 65 attempts. She also helped out at the plate with a .407 batting average, .485 on-base percentage and scored the fourth-most runs in NJCAA DIII with 69.
The Player and Pitcher of the Year, along with the Golden Shoe, are nominated and voted on by the full NJCAA DIII head coaching membership. The Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year is awarded to the first-team All-America catcher.
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