LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Bates softball team's grade-point average of 3.86 is the highest in all of NCAA Division III, as announced Wednesday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. 

"This is all them," head coach Kat McKay said. "Last year, we finished third in Division III, and this group saw that as a challenge. They showed up, put in the work, and brought the same effort, discipline, and commitment to the classroom that they bring to the field every day. To now be the top academic team in the country is something really special, and I couldn't be prouder to be their coach."

Bates is the only NESCAC school in the top 10 of Division III, as University of Hartford (3.818), Pomona-Pitzer (3.799), Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) (3.782), and Wheaton College (Mass.) (3.771) round out the top five.

Not surprisingly, the entire roster of 17 Bates softball players all earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2025-26 academic year. The award is bestowed by the NFCA upon college softball players who post a 3.5 or higher grade-point average.

Led by McKay, Bates continues to thrive on and off the diamond, as the Bobcats celebrated 50 years of Bates softball this past spring and are coming off a 17-win season and a NESCAC tournament bid.