Release courtesy of Swarthmore Athletic Communications
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association revealed today the 54 players voted to the 2022 NFCA Division III All-America teams. Swarthmore College senior Gwen Glatz represented the Garnet as the first All-American selection in program history. The two-way standout garnered second-team recognition as a utility player/pitcher.
"I am so proud of Gwen and all that she has accomplished but this honor is really special," said head coach Melissa Finley. "She wasn't afraid to set scary goals and then do the work to achieve them and I am so honored to have had a front row seat to see it all!"
Glatz played an essential role both at the plate and in the circle for the Garnet. The Exeter, Pa native led the offense in hits (49), walks (18), doubles (11), triples (3), and ranked second in batting average (.438), at-bats (112), total bases (69) and stolen bases (10). She also ranked third in the Centennial Conference in hits and batting average, while pacing the conference with a .515 on-base percentage. Glatz reached base in 31 of her 35 contests this year, and had a season-long, 19-game on-base streak that spanned from March 8 to April 29.
As a pitcher, Glatz proved to be just as dominant. The righty posted an 11-2 record with a 1.61 ERA and 64 strikeouts. Glatz was just one of three Centennial pitchers to finish the season with a sub-two ERA as she ranked second in the conference in both ERA and wins. Defensively, Glatz was just as stellar - finishing the season with a .933 fielding percentage as she primarily played third base.
Earlier in the month, Glatz was selected as the Centennial Conference's Player of the Year - becoming the first Swarthmore softball player to receive the honor. She was also chosen as a NFCA All-Region First-team selection and was named the Swarthmore Athletic Department's Glady's Irish Award recipient for best all-around female athlete. A few days ago, Glatz was also named to the Academic All-Centennial squad in recognition of her extraordinary athletic and academic standards.