Maya Knasiak, a junior on The College of New Jersey softball team, was named to the 2026 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Pitcher of the Year Watchlist, according to an April 3 announcement.
Knasiak is one of 118 student-athletes recognized nationally for both the Pitcher and Player of the Year awards and is among just ten players from Region IV selected for this honor. Her selection highlights her strong performance at the start of her junior season.
Knasiak has achieved a 10-1 record so far this season, including nine complete games and eight shutouts. She currently leads Division III in shutouts and WHIP (0.49), ranks second in hits allowed per seven innings (2.64), fourth in strikeouts with 98, and fifth in earned run average at 0.41. Notably, she has not allowed a run in her last 45.1 innings pitched.
In addition to her pitching achievements, Knasiak has also contributed offensively with a .415 batting average over 41 plate appearances. She has recorded four doubles, one triple, two home runs—the most on her team—and driven in twelve runs while allowing only six all season.
The winners of the NFCA Player and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year awards will be announced May 27 before the NCAA Division III World Series begins. The awards are voted on by the NFCA’s Division III All-America Committee.
