(Story courtesy of WPI Athletics)
LOUISVILLE, KY --- WPI softball senior
Emma Nagy (Monroe, Wash.), sophomore
Lucy Latour (North Dighton, Mass.) and first-year
Abby Merchant (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) were recognized among the nation's elite on Wednesday as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its 2026 NCAA Division III All-America teams.
Nagy earned second-team All-America accolades at first base, while Merchant was selected as a third-team pitcher and Latour garnered third-team honors in the outfield.
Nagy collected her first career All-America recognition following a dominant senior season at the plate. The first baseman batted .382 with 58 hits, 19 home runs, and 62 RBI while compiling a .855 slugging percentage. Her 19 home runs rank among the top single-season marks in program history, while her 62 RBI paced the Engineers. Defensively, Nagy was nearly flawless at first base, committing just two errors in 308 chances for a .994 fielding percentage.
Latour emerged as one of the premier hitters in Division III softball during her sophomore season. The outfielder hit an even .500 with 79 hits, 66 runs scored, 17 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, and 41 RBI while adding 23 stolen bases. She also posted a .576 on-base percentage and .842 slugging percentage during her breakout campaign.
Merchant capped one of the top rookie campaigns in program history with third-team All-America honors. Earlier this postseason, the first-year pitcher was named the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year, NFCA Region II First Team, and a finalist for the NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year award.
In the circle, Merchant posted a 25-1 record with a 2.15 ERA across 146.1 innings pitched. She struck out 88 batters, tossed 13 complete games and recorded four shutouts while helping lead WPI to a program-record 44 victories.
The three All-America selections are the most recent honorees for the WPI softball program since 2019.
Caraline Wood'19 was the most recent member of the Crimson and Gray to earn NFCA All-America recognition, collecting At-Large honors following the 2019 season.
WPI's trio of All-America selections cap a historic season for the Crimson and Gray that posted a 44-5 overall record and 19-1 ledger in NEWMAC play before capturing both the NEWMAC regular season and tournament championships while advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in program history.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.