JACKSON - After helping Northwest to the program's first 40-win season and just the second trip to the NJCAA Division II Softball World Series, sophomores Ellie Fryar and Sommer Tyes have garnered NJCAA All-Region 23 honors.

Fryar led Northwest with a .451 batting average and set the single-season program record for hits (79). The Dumas native and Mississippi College commit finished the year with 18 doubles and nine triples, ranking fifth and second in both single-season record categories. Her eight home runs also put her tied for eighth-most in a single season, joining Kaitlyn Bednarek (2022) and Kaylee Owens (2023, 2024).

Fryar also led the Rangers in several other stat categories this season, including her .794 slugging percentage, which is the fourth-best recorded in a single season. Her .525 on-base percentage ranks third in a single season and her 139 total bases is the third-highest, trailing only McKaylee "K.K." Polk (2023, 2024).

Fryar was also quick on the base paths, stealing 20 bases in 22 attempts, second only to Tyes' 25-for-27 stolen base mark. In her everyday third base position, she finished with a .920 fielding percentage.

Tyes, a native of Baldwyn, started all 56 games at first base for the Rangers, batting .338 with 10 doubles, a triple and 58 RBIs. Her batting average ranked fourth on the team, while her .766 slugging percentage was second only to Fryar's aforementioned .794 percentage.

Additionally, Tyes led the team with 25 stolen bases on 27 attempts. She also totaled 307 putouts and 19 assists in 331 total chances, good for a .985 fielding percentage, and helped turn four double plays.

Tyes leaves Northwest with her name etched throughout the program's single-season and career record books. Her 18 homers are tied for the second-most in a single season, joining Polk's freshman total in 2022 and trails Polk's sophomore record of 24 set back in 2023.

Tyes' 58 RBIs are the fourth-most in a single season and her 25 stolen bases are also tied for fourth-most in a single season with Andi Barrett (2014), Kaitlyn Bednarek (2022) and Kara Johnson (2024). Additionally, Tyes was also credited with four sacrifice flies this season, joining teammates Marleigh Mancini and Addison Owen for fourth-most in a single season.

A Jackson State University commit, Tyes also accounted for 154 at-bats (10th), 51 runs scored (T-5th) and 118 total bases (6th). Her career numbers include 21 home runs, which trails only Polk (42) and Saige Koczka (26) for third in program history, as well as 70 RBIs, which ranks as the sixth-most by any Ranger.

Her .721 career slugging percentage is the third-best behind only Polk (1.034) and Koczka (.823) and her 31 career stolen bases are tied for fifth with Bednarek. 

Both players are now eligible for NJCAA All-American honors, which will be released later this summer. Northwest finished 44-12 on the season, recording the most wins in program history. The Rangers were also one of eight teams remaining in the 20-team tournament field at the NJCAA Division II Softball World Series.