North Dakota State College of Science Sophomore Katelyn Strauss was named the 2023 NJCAA Division III Softball Pitcher of the Year Wednesday.

The right-handed pitcher from Spokane, Washington was a force on the mound for the national champion Wildcats this season. Strauss was named a first-team all-America selection for the second consecutive season this week. They led the nation in strikeouts by a wide margin with 306 total, 74 more than second place in the nation. This was their second straight season leading the country in strikeouts. The sophomore finished the season with a 25-6 overall record, also leading the nation in wins.

The Wildcats were named the No.1 overall seed after winning the program’s third straight district title. They faced regional opponent Minnesota North-Itasca in the first round where Strauss came in to pitch three innings of relief. The struck out four and allowed zero hits to secure the opening-round win for NDSCS. In the second round, Strauss earned her 23rd win on the season by tossing a complete game against Herkimer (NY), where he gave up six hits and struck out five. The Wildcats faced No. 2 seed Corning (NY) in the semifinal round, with the winner advancing to the national championship game. Strauss tossed another complete game and struck out 11 batters, however, the Wildcats fell 3-2 to the Red Barons.

Entering the elimination bracket with the winner advancing to play Corning, Katelyn Strauss took the circle against Herkimer, and three eight total innings and only earned two runs in the game. The Wildcats advanced to their first national championship game in school history. NDSCS had to win two consecutive games against Corning to become national champions, and the sophomore pitched 10 of the potential 14 innings for NDSCS.

Strauss finished the season with a 25-6 record with a 2.29 ERA and over 300 strikeouts for the Wildcats.