GREENWOOD, Ind.–Recent Westminster College graduate Mackenzie Latess (New Castle, Pa. | Laurel) was named a member of the 2022-23 Academic All-America® Softball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC), Tuesday afternoon.
Latess, a Third Team selection, was the lone player from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) to be honored. She earned a spot on the Academic All-District® teams for the first time in her career on May 16.
Latess is Westminster’s first softball Academic All-America® since Lisa Luckmeier was named a First Team College Division selection in 1996. Latess, Luckmeier and Kerry Issett (1990) are the College’s only three softball players to be honored with Academic All-America®.
A first baseman, Latess was one of 26 students to graduate Magna Cum Laude, earning a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Education on May 13. She carried a 3.879 cumulative grade-point average, was a seven-time Dean’s List designee and three-time PAC Academic Honor Roll selection. Latess hit .433 in 42 games (42 starts) with 16 doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 60 RBIs and 29 runs scored. Her 60 RBIs and seven sacrifice flies both rank second in Division III.
Latess earned First Team All-PAC three times and is the program’s all-time leader in RBIs (152) and doubles (46). Latess’ 20 career home runs are tied for the most in program history (Jennifer Emery, 2007-10). She is fourth among Division III active career leaders in RBIs (152) and ranks 14th in doubles (46).
A member of the Pi Sigma Pi scholastic honor fraternity and Kappa Delta Pi, a national honor society in education, Latess was one of 141 student-athletes from around the country named to the 2023 Tucci/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Player of the Year watchlist on April 6.
The Academic All-America® program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
