Livingstone Earns NJCAA National Player of the Year Honors
Despite winning three consecutive National Championships and seeing three of their pitchers earn National Pitcher of the Year honors, there is one award that has eluded the Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers, until now. For the first time in program history the Bucs had one of their own named the NJCAA National Player of the Year on Thursday as sophomore centerfielder Noelani Livingstone earned the award following a huge season for FSW.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Despite winning three consecutive National Championships and seeing three of their pitchers earn National Pitcher of the Year honors, there is one award that has eluded the Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers, until now. For the first time in program history the Bucs had one of their own named the NJCAA National Player of the Year on Thursday as sophomore centerfielder Noelani Livingstone earned the award following a huge season for FSW.
Livingstone put up huge numbers across the board for the Bucs this season, hitting .526 which ranked 6th in the NJCAA while reaching base at a .609 clip and slugging .849 making her one of the most feared hitters in the country. She ripped 16 doubles, 6 triples, and launched 7 home runs while also showcasing her speed with 32 stolen bases in 33 chances on the year. She accounted for 125 runs in 60 games played on the season, scoring 68 times and driving in 57 more.
She took her game to a whole new level during the postseason, earning Most Valuable Player honors at the FCSAA Tournament, leading FSW to a clean sweep and their second straight Championship, hitting .600 with 7 RBIs and 6 runs scored in just three games. Just when it looked like she had reached her pinnacle, she continued to up her game at the NJCAA World Series, hitting .714 with an eye popping 2.051 OPS to earn Most Outstanding Offensive Player honors for the tournament.
Livingstone finishes her career as one of the greats in FSW history. Her .479 career batting average ranks 3rd in program history, her 11 triples are 2nd most, and her 169 hits are 4th best. She struck out just 24 times in 417 career plate appearances and was 64 for 68 in stolen base attempts.
Next season Livingstone will take her talents to one of the top programs in the NCAA Division I ranks after signing earlier this week at the University of Alabama who is fresh off of a trip to the College World Series Final Four in Oklahoma City.
