Maddi Hackbarth earns NFCA All-American honors

On Wednesday, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced from Oklahoma City its All-Americans for the 2021 season. Arizona State catcher Maddi Hackbarth received the honors of making the Second Team as an At-Large Catcher.

Hackbarth finished the season at 20 home runs, creating a three-way tie for the most in a single season by a Sun Devil, joining Cheyenne Coyle (2013) and Katie Cochran (2009).

Before the Women’s College World Series starts on Thursday, she also ranks top-10 nationally in RBI (58) and slugging percentage (0.913).

This is the fourth straight season under Sun Devil coach Trisha Ford that Arizona State has an All-American.

Giselle “G” Juarez (2018, First-Team NFCA), Morgan Howe (2019, First-Team NFCA), Maddi’s twin sister Kindra (2019, Second-Team NFCA, 2020, First-Team Softball America) and Maddi Hackbarth in 2020 as part of Softball America’s Third-Team have all earned those honors under Ford.

Hackbarth left her mark on the program having hit 54 career home runs — fourth most in program history — and batted in 170 runs — eighth most in program history — despite only playing three and a half seasons in Tempe.

Softball America and D1Softball should unveil its All-American lists later this week.