Heidelbauer named to NFCA Division III Pitcher and Player of the Year watchlist

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - There has been no stopping Megan Heidelbauer at the plate, and the nation took notice as Heidelbauer was named to the 2025 NFCA Division III Pitcher and Player of the Year watchlist on Thursday afternoon.

Heidelbauer was one of 119 student-athletes named to the award watchlist, and was one of five A-R-C players. The list is separated into the 10 NCAA regions. The list is compiled by the elected members of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee with one head coach representing each of the 10 NCAA regions.

The junior first baseman has been one of the top hitters in the country slugging her way to a .514/.553/1.057 slash line with seven home runs and 35 RBIs in the first 20 games. In 70 at-bats, Heidelbauer has racked up a total of 36 hits, made up of seven home runs, nine doubles, and four triples to go along with her 27 runs scored, and perfect 8-for-8 on stolen base attempts.

Heidelbauer was named the American Rivers Conference Player of the Week on March 24, going 18-for-35 in Simpson's final 10 Florida games, registering a team-leading five home runs and 17 RBIs. Heidelbauer finished those games with three doubles, three triples, 11 runs scored, three walks, and a perfect fielding percentage on 77 putouts.

Heidelbauer's production at the plate has been a key piece as to why Simpson has begun the season 18-2 overall. The Storm started the year 15-1, the best 16-game start since 2015 when Simpson went 16-0.

Voted on by the NFCA's Division III All-American Committee, the 2025 NFCA Player and Pitcher of the Year winners will be announced on June 6 following the conclusion of the NCAA Division III Finals. All student-athletes are eligible for the end-of-the-season awards and do not have to be on this list to be considered.