Waterville, ME - Five Vermont State University Lyndon softball players were honored by the North Atlantic Conference when the conference announced its end of season awards on Thursday. Seairra Anderson (Somersworth, NH), Claudia Knapp (Howell, NJ), Riley McNamara (Manchester, NH), and Ann Watkins (Los Angeles, CA) were all West Division All-Conference selections, while Sarah Collier (Hardwick, VT) was named to the Sportsmanship Team.
Anderson, a senior, was selected as a 3rd Baseman, batted .312 with 14 runs batted in for the season. She raised her batting average to .385 in conference play, the best on the team. Anderson finished her Lyndon career with 105 base hits, the most by a Lyndon player since Lyndon rejoined NCAA Division III and joined the NAC in 2008-09. At third base, Anderson recorded 40 putouts and 57 assists, with a .924 fielding percentage.
Knapp, also a senior, was selected as a Non-Pitcher Utility Player. She hit .250 with a NAC best five home runs and a team best 24 runs batted in. She finished her Hornet career with 15 home runs, the most ever since the program joined the NAC, and ten more than the next closest total. Knapp split time between first base, catcher, and designated player. she led Lyndon with 115 putouts, and notched a .959 fielding percentage.
McNamara, a sophomore transfer from Central Maine Community College, was selected as a Pitcher/Utility Player. She started 30 of 31 games, splitting time primarily between first base and the pitching rubber. At the plate she batted a team best .354 with five doubles and 18 runs batted in. She hit .375 with nine RBIs in conference play. McNamara also made 21 appearances in the circle, with 12 starts. She had a 7.44 earned run average and struck out 28 batters in 84.2 innings of work. Her ERA dipped to 4.88 in NAC play.
Watkins, a junior, was selected as an outfielder. She hit .321 with two home runs and 13 RBIs. Her batting average in conference play rose to .364. She also stole 11 bases in 11 attempts on the season. Watkins had 69 putouts and nine assists in center field and posted a .962 fielding percentage.
Collier, a sophomore, appeared in 17 games. She hit .250 with one run batted in. Selection to the Sportsmanship Team is reserved for those who distinguish themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The honorees have positively affected the softball culture and game environment by clearly demonstrating sportsmanship and integrity beyond playing rules and etiquette.
Lyndon finished 6-25 overall and 3-9 in NAC play, good for third place in the NAC's West Division. The Hornets qualified for the NAC Championship Tournament for the first time in three seasons, earning the #6 seed. Lyndon was eliminated from the double elimination tournament last Saturday. Anderson and Knapp are expected to graduate this weekend. Watkins and Collier are expected to be key contributors on the 2026 team.
