Lebanon, IL - The National Fastpich Coaches' Association (NFCA) officially released their 2026 Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year Watchlist on Wednesday afternoon. 118 student-athletes nationwide made the list, including 15 from the NFCA's Midwest Region, which features McKendree. The Bearcats are represented by Lauren Harris. 

Harris has won the award once before, doing so back in 2024.

Harris is currently batting .460, has 57 hits, an .839 slugging percentage, and 11 stolen bases. At the top of that list is the rate at which her swings are leaving the ballpark. Harris has hit 11 round-trippers already in 2026, which surpasses her five hit in 2025, and that 11-homer run is already second for her career, now trailing just her 18 homers in 2024. 

Harris is also at a .979 fielding percentage this season, which, if it holds, would be the highest such number of her career.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 27th. 

The Bearcats are in action this weekend with a Friday, April 3rd doubleheader at Rockhurst, with game one's first pitch set for 12:00 PM.