LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Bates softball team's grade-point average of 3.79 is the third highest in all of NCAA Division III, as announced Thursday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. 

The Bobcats recorded the highest GPA in the NESCAC, as Bates and Middlebury (3.785) represented the conference in the national top 10 rankings. Only WPI (3.83) and Pomona-Pitzer (3.827) finished ahead of the Bobcats. 

Not surprisingly, a remarkable 16 Bates softball players earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2024-25 academic year. The honor is bestowed by the NFCA upon college softball players who post a 3.5 or higher grade-point average.

Led by head coach Kat McKay, Bates continues to thrive on and off the diamond, as the Bobcats are coming off a 16-win season and a NESCAC tournament bid.