Three members of the Harvard Crimson women’s softball team were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Northeast All-Region selections, according to a May 14 announcement. Junior infielder Sophie Sun was selected for the NFCA Northeast All-Region First Team, while senior infielder Finley Payne and junior pitcher/utility Nicolette Hunter earned spots on the Third Team.
The recognition highlights the strong performances of these athletes during the 2026 season. Such honors are significant as they reflect individual achievements and contributions to their team’s success.
Sun received her third consecutive NFCA Northeast All-Region honor after leading Harvard in several offensive categories this season. She posted a .392 batting average, an OPS of 1.160, and led in hits (60), runs (41), doubles (10), home runs (13), RBIs (51), slugging percentage (.712), and on-base percentage (.448). Sun started all 45 games at shortstop this year. She is one of only three student-athletes in school history to record more than 50 RBIs in a single season, and her total of 13 home runs ties her for second-most in program history for a single campaign. As she enters her final season next year, Sun holds school records for career batting average (.407), slugging percentage (.713), and on-base percentage (.463).
Payne earned an NFCA Northeast All-Region selection for the second straight year after achieving career highs across multiple categories: hits (46), triples (3), home runs (10), RBIs (44), slugging percentage (.618), walks (24) and on-base percentage (.428). The Liberty Township, Ohio native was one of only two Crimson players to start every game this season. Payne became just the sixth player in school history with double-digit home runs in a single season and finished her collegiate career as one of eight players with at least 100 career RBIs.
Hunter was recognized with an NFCA Northeast All-Region honor for the first time following another strong year both pitching and contributing elsewhere on the field. The Camarillo, California native led Harvard pitchers with a 3.15 earned run average over a team-high 111 innings pitched, striking out a personal best of 89 batters this year. In Ivy League play, Hunter ranked among the top five pitchers by ERA and strikeouts; she now owns a career ERA of 2.58 over nearly 300 innings pitched.
These awards mark important milestones for each athlete’s collegiate careers while underscoring their impact within both Harvard’s program and regional competition.
