Central College second baseman Haley Bach was named to the NFCA Division III Softball All-America squad Wednesday evening.          

Bach was chosen for an at-large spot on the second team. She is Central’s first softball all-American pick since Abby Strajack and Karlee Rock were first-team selections in 2015. She is the 26th Central player to receive softball all-American distinction and it’s the 37th time a Dutch player was honored.

A two-time first-team American Rivers all-conference selection, Bach was an NFCA Division III All-Region IX first-team pick this year after receiving second-team honors a year ago. Earlier this season she was named to the Tucci/NFCA Division III Player of the Year Watchlist.

Bach batted .349 for the season, scoring a team-high 43 runs, which ranks sixth in school season history. She led the team with a .470 on-base percentage and 26 walks, while stealing 20 bases in 22 tries. She hit nine doubles and three triples while also belting a two-run homer in Central’s 4-2, 11-inning upset win at No. 1-ranked Linfield University (Ore.) last Thursday. Bach turned in perhaps even more impressive work with her glove, committing just one error in 150 chances for a .993 fielding percentage. 

Also an NFCA Scholar-Athlete, Bach received Central’s Newcomer of the Year Award in 2022 and Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2023. Her .473 career on-base percentage currently ranks second in school history and her .364 career batting average ranks ninth. She’s tied for fourth in career runs scored (137) with fellow all-American second baseman and Lewis Central High School grad Molly Parrott (1999-2002). Bach is tied for fifth in career walks with 79.

Bach helped Central post a 33-13 record, capturing its 14th conference championship and making a record 32nd NCAA Division III Championships appearance. The Dutch won the four-team Pella, Iowa Regional May 16-18 before dropping the best-of-three Super Regional at Linfield last Thursday and Friday.