CHARLOTTE - For just the fourth time in program history, a member of the Northwest softball team has been chosen as an NJCAA All-American.

Sophomore infielder Ellie Fryar was announced as a Division II Second Team All-American by the NJCAA on Wednesday, joining a group that includes Ranger legends Saige Koczka (2021) and McKaylee "K.K." Polk (2022, 2023). 

This is a separate All-American honor from the list released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on Monday, which included Sommer Tyes for NFCA Division II All-American accolades. (Of note, Koczka and Polk also received NFCA All-American honors in the past.)

Fryar led the Rangers 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 Northwest 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 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.

Northwest completed the program's first 40-win campaign, finishing with an overall record of 44-12. The Rangers also made the NJCAA Division II World Series for just the second time ever, and three years following the program's first appearance in 2022.