LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Senior 2B Grace Vondracek (Odessa, N.Y.), senior shortstop Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J.) and sophomore LF McKenzie Nazionale (Ontario, Calif.) have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II All-East Region First Team, the organization announced today.

Vondracek, an All-CACC First Team performer, leads the CACC in batting at .456, on-base percentage (.556), runs (56), walks (23) and stolen bases (42), fourth in hits (632) and third in OPS (1.107). The 2024 NFCA First Team All-Region selection is first in Caldwell history in batting (.475) and third in stolen bases (61).

Tavaska, also an NFCA First Team All-Region pick last year, leads the CACC in home runs (10), RBI (59), slugging (.839) and OPS (1.294), and last month was selected as the CACC Player of the Year and to the league's First Team. Tavaska, who also ranks second in the circuit in hits (68), doubles (17) and triples and third in triples (7) runs (44) and batting average (.442), was also named to the All-CACC First Team in voting by the league's 12 coaches. She is fourth in Caldwell history in hits (259), fifth in home runs (22), eighth in batting average (.389), third in RBI (182), fifth in doubles (60), first in triples (16), sixth in runs (149), ninth in SB (45), first in total bases (417), fifth in slugging (.627). Tavaska was named CACC Player of the Week twice in 2025, and was the league's Student-Athlete of the Month in March.

Nazionale ranks eighth in the CACC in batting (.392) and on-base percentage (.439) while stealing 21 bases, third best in the circuit. Her 58 hits place her eighth in the league and her 32 runs are 14th.

This marks the second straight year that three Cougars earned NFCA First Team honors, as Tavaska, Vondracek and pitcher Allison Winters earned the distinction in 2024.

The Cougars finished at 24-24 overall, 13-9 in league play. They earned the #5 seed in the CACC Tournament, falling in the opening round at Jefferson yesterday, 3-1.

2025 NFCA First Team All-East Region
Pitcher- Gisselle Garcia, Pace University
Pitcher- Kaite Burawski, University of Bridgeport
Pitcher- Alyssa Smart, Pace University
Catcher- Charlit Hartenstein, Franklin Pierce University
First Base- Jenna Devens, Saint Michael's College 
Second Base- Grace Vondracek, Caldwell University 
Third Base- Mya Jones, University of Bridgeport 
Shortstop- Ashleigh Tavaska, Caldwell University 
Outfield- Jordan Krause Bentley, University East
Outfield- Eliana Raposo, St. Thomas Aquinas College 
Outfield- McKenzie Nazionale, Caldwell University
Utility/Pitcher- Delani Sheehan, Wilmington University 
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher- Wynter Radcliffe, Goldey-Beacom College