Bluefield, WV – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has officially announced its 2026 Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist, and Bluefield State University's own Paige Whittington has earned a spot among the nation's elite.

Whittington, a senior standout who has been a versatile force for the Big Blue, was named as one of the top student-athletes in the Atlantic Region. The list is comprised of 118 student-athletes across the country, broken down into the eight NCAA regions with up to 15 athletes represented in each region.  

Whittington is currently leading the Big Blue with a .500 avg with 47 hits, including nine doubles, three triples and eight RBIs with just four strikeouts. On the bases, Whittington has 33 stolen bases.

The 2026 NFCA Player of the Year and NFCA/ Portolite Pitcher of the Year will be announced on May 27^th.

Atlantic Region Watchlist
 

Blaire	Balestrini	IF/UT	So.	Lock Haven University	PSAC	Atlantic
Maci	Boggess	P	Jr.	Glenville State University	MEC	Atlantic
Sarah	Davenport	P	Jr.	East Stroudsburg University	PSAC	Atlantic
Addison	Mass	P	Sr.	University of Charleston	MEC	Atlantic
Alyssa	Massucci	UT	So.	Slippery Rock University	PSAC	Atlantic
Jailyn	Myrick	UT	So.	Virginia Union University	CIAA	Atlantic
Lexi	Pickett	C	So.	Millersville University	PSAC	Atlantic
Kinsley	Proepper	C/IF	So.	East Stroudsburg University	PSAC	Atlantic
Zailees	Seda	IF	Jr.	Glenville State University	MEC	Atlantic
Alyssa	Sheely	OF	Sr.	Slippery Rock University	PSAC	Atlantic
Emma	Smerick	OF	Jr.	Gannon University	PSAC	Atlantic
Shelby	Telegdy	P	So.	Seton Hill University	PSAC	Atlantic
Paytyn	Tucker	OF	Jr.	West Liberty University	MEC	Atlantic
Paige	Whittington	OF/UT	Sr.	Bluefield State University	CIAA	Atlantic
Reagan	Winn	1B/3B	Jr.	West Virginia Wesleyan College	MEC	Atlantic