University of Rochester first-year softball player Riley Laygo was honored as a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-American, as announced by the organization on Wednesday evening.
 
Laygo, a Second Team All-American, becomes the eighth All-America honoree in program history and is just the second first-year to earn the distinction, following in the footsteps of sophomore teammate Molly Broccolo who was named last year.
 
This season, Laygo has been heavily decorated for her play on the field, being honored as an NFCA First Team All-Region III pick and Division III Freshman of the Year finalist. Additionally, the rookie utility player was named Liberty League Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference while being selected as either Liberty League Performer or Rookie of the Week six times.
 
"Riley has an incredible ability to square up any pitch and her hard work and infections positive attitude greatly impacts the team," says head coach Abby Hurley-Martin. "She also has impacted hitters around her offensively by forcing pitchers to attack certain players by giving them good pitches to hit. Defensively, she had to make the transition from infield to outfield and did so flawlessly. She also held her own in the circle. Riley deserves this recognition and I can't wait to see what the next three years have in store for her."
 
In 2024, Laygo established a Rochester softball single-season record batting average, hitting .463, going 63-for-136 at the plate. Her slash line also includes a .493 on-base percentage and .875 slugging mark, both ranking in the top-10 in team history. She added 47 runs scored, 16 doubles, 2 triples, 12 home runs and 42 RBI to her stat line.
 
Additionally, she swiped 13 stolen bases, made just one error in 60 defensive chances and pitched in five games, compiling a 0.75 ERA across 9.1 innings.
 
The Hacienda Heights, California native ranked seventh nationally in total bases with 119, was ninth in Division III in slugging percentage while also ranking in the top-30 in the country in home runs (17th) and doubles (30th).
 
Laygo, the only player to start all 41 games for the Yellowjackets this season, led the team with a whopping 19 games with multiple hits, including nine with three or more base knocks. She added 11 multiple RBI games, with that tally also counting a 6-RBI game back in March where she added 3 hits, 2 runs scored and 2 home runs.
 
Her efforts on the field helped the Yellowjackets finish the 2024 season with a 32-9 overall record and claim their fourth straight Liberty League softball title. UR reached the NCAA Division III Regional Championship game for the second year in a row.