Kansas City, Mo. - Three members of the Central Methodist Softball team were named NAIA All-Americans, which were announced by the national office.
The trio of Jordyn Ball, Lauren Hill, and Elizabeth Palumbo were each selected as second team All-Americans.
Ball, who was also named a second team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association, is now a two-time NAIA All-American. She earned an honorable mention nod as a freshman in 2023.
The native of Fayette, Missouri finished her sophomore campaign with a 27-2 record inside the circle. Her 27 wins tied the single-season program record. Additionally, Ball tossed 192 total innings while recording a 1.46 earned run average in 30 starts.
She 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.
Hill, a junior from California, Missouri, was named an All-American for the first time in her career. She appeared in all 59 games for the Eagles, primarily as Central's starting catcher. Hill finished 2024 batting .358 on 59 hits which included 17 doubles, good for second on the team. She also recorded six home runs, and a triple, while driving in 42 runs.
Along with Ball and Palumbo, Hill earned NFCA All-Region V First Team honors and was named a Heart First Team All-Conference selection.
Palumbo matched Ball with All-America honors from both the NAIA and the NFCA, both first time honors for the sophomore. Additionally, she secured a pair of conference honors as the Heart Player of the Year and a first team all-conference selection. 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.
As a team, Central finished 2024 sweeping both the Heart Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championships for the third straight season. In addition, CMU concluded the year 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 NAIA World Series, the first time the program has made back-to-back trips in school history.
To view the complete list of 2024 NAIA Softball All-Americans, please click here.
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