LOUISVILLE, KY – Wilkes University softball sophomore outfielder Nicole Howell (Tunkhannock, PA/Tunkhannock Area) was named to the 2023 Tucci/NFCA Division III Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist as announced by the coaches association today.

Howell was one of 140 student-athletes named to the watchlist out of 10 regions and one of 15 players from Region IV. Through 20 games Howell is batting .500 (32-for-64) with nine doubles, three triples, 23 RBI's, 21 runs scored, a .500 on-base percentage, a 1.234 OPS, a .734 slugging percentage, 47 total bases, and three stolen bases. She leads the team in batting average, hits, triples, RBI's, on-base percentage, OPS, slugging percentage, total bases. She has started all 20 games primarily as the left fielder and clean-up hitter.

The list is compiled by the elected members of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee, who will also vote to choose the Player and Pitcher of the Year honorees at the conclusion of the season which will be announced on June 9th.

The Player of the Year award was created in 2016 to honor outstanding softball achievement in NCAA Division III. In 2019, the Association expanded the award to include separate Player and Pitcher of the Year honors.

Click here to view the full 2023 Tucci/NFCA Division III Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist.