Louisville, Ken. - Four members of the Central Methodist Softball team were named NAIA-NFCA All-Americans by the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association.
Jordyn Ball, Elizabeth Palumbo, Madison Roberts, and Kaysie Jolley were all named to the second team.
Ball, who was an All-Region V First Team selection, finished the year with a 27-2 record inside the circle. Her 27 wins tied the single-season program record. She tossed 192 total innings while recording a 1.46 earned run average in 30 starts.
Ball also struck out 183 total batters, and tossed 24 complete games including a pair of no-hitters. For her efforts in conference play, Ball was named the Heart Pitcher of the Year and a first team all-conference selection. She is now a two-time NFCA Second Team All-American.
Palumbo earned All-American honors for the first time in her young career. She secured a pair of conference honors as the Heart Player of the Year and a first team all-conference pick. She was also named to the NFCA All-Region V First Team. She batted a team-best .419 with 83 hits including 18 doubles and five home runs. Palumbo finished the year driving in 48 RBI and committed just three errors at first base.
Roberts is also a first-time All-America selection as sophomore in 2024. The native from Elkhart, Illinois, who was also a first-team all region selection, played in all 59 games for Central at shorstop.
Making her presence known in the infield, she was named to the Heart All-Conference First Team and a Gold Glove selection, finishing the year with a .974 fielding percentage. The NFCA also recognized Roberts as a member of the Gold Glove team, representing the nation's best fielders.
In the batter's box, she batted .369 with 16 doubles, a pair of home runs, and a triple. Additionally, Roberts drove in 44 runners and scored 32 runs herself.
Jolley rounded out the All-America selections for the Eagles. The Heart First Team All-Conference selection played in all 59 games for CMU, primarily in left field. She finished the year batting .401 with 77 hits, comprised of 18 doubles, a team-leading 14 home runs, and a triple. Jolley drove in 54 total runners and drew 25 walks. Jolley was named the Heart Player of the Week on March, 11th and was also a NFCA All-Region V selection.
As a team, Central concluded the year sweeping the Heart Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championships for the third straight season. In addition, CMU finished 2024 with a 52-7 overall record, with the 52 wins being the most by any team in program history.
Central punched its ticket to its second straight appearance in the NAIA World Series, the first time the program has made back-to-back trips in school history.
To view the complete list of the 2024 NFCA NAIA All-American teams, please click here.
To view the complete list of the 2024 NFCA NAIA Gold Glove team, please click here.
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