June 8, 2023

Corning's Vondracek wins second consecutive DIII Softball Player of the Year award

Charlotte, NC - For the second consecutive season, Corning's Grace Vondracek has been named the NJCAA Division III Softball Player of the Year!

Vondracek was named a 2023 NJCAA DIII Softball First-Team All-America selection for the third straight season on Tuesday. The infielder has led the Red Barons to back-back-back runner-up finishes at the DIII World Series, while also being named to the All-Tournament team each time.

"Grace Vondracek is the most decorated student-athlete in SUNY Corning history. To be named a two-time National Player of the Year is a tribute to her abilities. Offensively Grace can beat you with her bat or her feet," Corning head softball coach Stacy Johnson said. "She is one of the toughest outs in the nation because of her ability to drop a bunt or hit the ball out of the park. On the basepath, she is a threat to steal any base at any time. Defensively, she has been an anchor up the middle with her speed coupled with her strong arm."

This season, the sophomore from Odessa, New York, ranked in the top-5 in the nation with a .609 batting average, a .687 on-base percentage, and a .974 slugging percentage. Vondracek also led the nation in runs (91), hits (95), and walks drawn (38), while finishing third in stolen bases (43).

At the NJCAA DIII Softball World Series, Vondracek led the No. 2 seed Red Barons to their third straight national championship game appearance. The sophomore hit an incredible 13/15 from the dish during the tournament, with three doubles and two triples.

"We aren't who we were the past few seasons without Grace. She was our leader at both sides of the plate and the fuel that made us go; her softball IQ is unmatched. She is high-energy and one of the most competitive players I've ever coached. She is a good teammate and pushes those around her to get better and enjoys celebrating her teammate's success or accolades more than her own. Her success comes from her consistent critiquing of herself and drives to be the best," Johnson said on Vondracek.

2023 Stats

95 hits
91 runs scored
20 doubles
11 home runs
64 RBI
38 walks
.609 batting average
.687 on-base percentage
.974 slugging percentage

2023 Accomplishments

2023 NJCAA DIII Softball First-Team All-America Selection
2023 NJCAA DIII Softball World Series All-Tournament Team
2023 MSAC Conference Player of the Year
2023 NFCA Player of the Year
2023 NFCA Golden Shoe Award Winner
Led nation in runs scored (91)
Led nation in hits (95)
Led nation in walks (38)