LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Five student-athletes from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) were recognized on the 2026 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist, the organization announced Thursday afternoon.

A total of 118 student-athletes from across the country were selected to the watchlist, which is divided into 10 NCAA regions. The list is compiled by the elected members of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee, with one head coach representing each region.

Representing Region VII and the MIAA are Adrian College junior outfielder Taylor Gerhardt, Trine Unviersity senior pitcher Debbie Hil and Trine junior infielder Tyra Marcum, Alma College senior utility player Katelyn Thomas, and Hope College junior catcher/utility player Macy Verbeek.

Gerhardt has been one of the most dynamic offensive threats in the nation through the first half of the season. The junior is batting an impressive .549 with a 1.354 OPS across 22 games, totaling 45 hits and 37 runs scored. A 2025 All-MIAA First Team selection, she has also showcased elite speed on the basepaths, going 28-for-29 in stolen base attempts.

Hill continues to build on an already decorated career for the Thunder. A three-time All-America and All-MIAA honoree, the senior has been dominant in the circle with a 0.49 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 28.1 innings. Opponents are batting just .170 against her. Hill has also contributed offensively, hitting .364 with 16 RBIs and a 1.133 OPS.

Marcum, a two-time All-America and All-Conference selection, has been a consistent force both at the plate and in the field for Trine. The junior infielder is batting .354 with a 1.137 OPS, including three home runs and 18 RBIs. Defensively, she has recorded 80 putouts with a .965 fielding percentage.

Thomas has led Alma with a well-rounded offensive and defensive performance this season. The senior is hitting .455 with a 1.206 OPS, totaling 20 hits, including seven doubles, while driving in 13 runs. In the field, she owns a .989 fielding percentage with 85 putouts.

Verbeek has anchored Hope’s lineup with a .446 batting average and 25 hits through 18 games. The junior catcher/utility player has driven in 16 runs while maintaining a .976 fielding percentage behind the plate and in the field.

The NFCA Player of the Year award was established in 2016 to recognize outstanding achievement in NCAA Division III softball. In 2019, the association expanded the honor to include both Player and Pitcher of the Year awards.

The 2026 NFCA Player of the Year and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year recipients will be announced on May 27, prior to the start of the NCAA Division III World Series.

Student-athletes are not required to appear on the watchlist to be considered for end-of-season awards, which are voted on by members of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee. To be eligible, a student-athlete’s head coach must be an NFCA member.