LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A historic 2025 season has culminated in Lower Columbia College’s selection as the ATEC/NFCA NWAC National Coaching Staff of the Year, the Association announced on Friday.
Head coach Traci Fuller and assistants Dave Andrew and Ada Williams guided the (48-0) Red Devils to the first undefeated season in NWAC history and Lower Columbia’s 11th NWAC title, but first crown since 2008. It is also the first championship under Fuller’s leadership.
Lower Columbia defeated Everett Community College, 9-1 on May 18, in the NWAC championship game to close a 5-0 run through the tournament, which included four victories via run rule. Five members of the squad were named to the all-tournament team, including tournament most valuable player Lexi Grumbois, who led off the first inning in the finale with a home run.
Previously, pitcher Zoey Hughes was voted NFCA NWAC Pitcher of the Year and batterymate Brooklyn Loose was selected the Diamond Catcher of the Year, with both also earning NFCA NWAC All-America honors.
Hughes posted a league-low 1.65 ERA and ranked fifth in NWAC play this season with 16 wins and 133 strikeouts, fanning 10.42 per game. She appeared in 22 games, making 14 starts and completing 12 games, collected five shutouts (tops in the NWAC) and had an .184 batting average against. Loose batted .480 with 18 homers, 64 RBI and 73 runs scored. She slugged .947 and reached base at a .548 clip. Additionally, Loose was the NWAC’s Rawlings Gold Glove recipient, posting a .997 fielding percentage and throwing out seven of nine base runners attempting to steal (.778).
Shortstop Allison Baumgart and outfielder Hailey Brooks rounded out the Red Devils’ four All-Americans, which accounted for nearly a third of all honorees.
Fuller and her staff will be recognized during the NFCA Awards Brunch on Dec. 13 at the 2025 NFCA Convention in Las Vegas.
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