LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Tusculum University softball has two players listed on the 2025 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II All-Region teams. Danielle Jason earned first team honors in the outfield, while Brooke Smith was tabbed as the second team second baseman.
The duo are the third and fourth players in program history to be named to the association’s regional list, with Jason becoming the only first-teamer in the Division II era.
The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association’s eight regions with first and second-team selections. NFCA member head coaches from each respective region nominated and voted on the teams, and all the honorees now become eligible for selection to the 2025 NFCA Division II All-America squads.
Conference players and pitchers of the year from member institutions (must be nominated by member head coach and receive votes) are added to the second team if they were not already voted to an All-Region squad.
The 2025 NFCA Division II All-American teams will be announced on Wednesday, May 21 at the NCAA Division II Championship Banquet in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Jason, a graduate student from Olyphant, Pennsylvania, is averaging .464 at the plate with a .518 on base percentage while slugging at a .547 clip. The left fielder has racked up 83 hits, 60 runs, eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 18 RBI, 19 walks, and 48 steals across 179 at bats. She has also collected 12 sacrifice bunts, 95 putouts, and nine assists. Jason was also named the South Atlantic Conference first team.
Smith, a sophomore from Acworth, Georgia, averages . 458 with a .515 OBP and a .537 slugging percentage. The second baseman has totaled 81 hits, 58 runs, eight doubles, three triples, 28 RBI, 14 walks, and 30 stolen bases on 177 at bats. She has also dropped 11 sacrifice bunts, while recording 118 putouts and 70 assists on defense. Smith earned second team all-conference honors last month.
Collectively in the TU record book, Jason and Smith rank fifth and sixth all-time in a single campaign in batting average. Jason is tied with the sixth-most at bats, with Smith just behind. Jason and Smith are both within five runs from taking over the record at 62 scores. They are also the first players this millennium to reach the 80-hit mark. Jason and Smith are neck-and-neck for fourth place in on base percentage, separated by .003. Jason overtook both the single-season and career stolen base records earlier this season, now sitting at 48 and 72, respectively. Smith currently ranks fourth with her season total.
2025 NFCA Division II All-Southeast Region
First Team
P – Alyssa Poston, Francis Marion
P – Julianna Franklin, Columbus State
P – Jenna Walling, Francis Marion
C – Carleigh Knowles, North Georgia
1B – Kary Hales, Catawba
2B – Hayden Dye, Carson-Newman
3B – Madison Primm, Lenoir-Rhyne
SS – Madalyn White, Francis Marion
OF – Paige Strickland, Francis Marion
OF – Danielle Jason, Tusculum
OF – Emily Konz, Francis Marion
UTL/P – Ansley Gibson, Augusta
DP or UTL/Non-P – Brianna Gallagher, Catawba
Second Team
P – Halle Grace Patton, Lincoln Memorial
P – Lakyn Phillips, USC Aiken
C – Lani Warren, Lenoir-Rhyne
1B – Avery Kiger, Lenoir-Rhyne
2B – Brooke Smith, Tusculum
3B – Gabby Burroughs, Erskine
3B – Kam Caldwell, GCSU
SS – Emily Blackwell, North Greenville
OF – SieAnna Cameron, Carson-Newman
OF – Sydnee Reaves, North Georgia
OF – Hannah Stevens, Wingate
UTL/P – Grace Young, Young Harris
DP or UTL/Non-P – Natalie Ray, North Georgia
