LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association in partnership with Schutt Sports announced its 2019 Division II National Player of the Year watch list on Thursday Feb. 7, tabbing junior center fielder Abbey Fortin as one of the top players to watch in the country this season.
 
Fortin, a consensus All-American in 2018, garnered East Coast Conference Player of the Year accolades and ECC Tournament Most Outstanding Player accolades a year ago and enters 2019 as the league's preseason Player of the Year as voted by the conference coaches. Fortin had a breakout season as a sophomore, hitting .413 at the plate with 81 hits, 19 home runs, 11 doubles, six triples, and 65 runs batted in. In addition to the RBI, Fortin scored 56 runs to help the Pioneers capture the ECC title and reach the East Super Regional last season.
 
The outstanding offensive season wasn't just great by LIU Post standards. Fortin ranked in the top-10 nationally in total bases (161), home runs (19), hits (81), and batting average (.413). Her six triples came one shy of the LIU Post program record, and the junior has her sights set on the Pioneer program record for home runs this season, needing just 20 long balls to break the set a new program mark in just three seasons.
 
The Pioneers open the season in Clermont, Fla. on Sunday, March 3 at the PFX Spring Games against reigning national runner-up Saint Anselm College in a rematch of the 2018 East Super Regional.