Northwest Florida State's Cailyn Heyl named 2025 DI Pitcher of the Year

Charlotte, NC: A few weeks after leading Northwest Florida State to its first softball national championship, Cailyn Heyl has been named the 2025 NJCAA Division I Softball Pitcher of the Year.

"I am ecstatic for Cailyn to receive this incredible and well-deserved honor. She had a dominant season to finish off a truly remarkable career. Additionally, her performance in the World Series, leading our softball program to its first national title, cemented her legacy as an all-time great. I am so appreciative of the amazing impact Cailyn's made at Northwest Florida State College, Raider Athletics, and our community," Northwest Florida State Athletic Director Ramsey Ross said.

Heyl has consistently been one of the top pitchers in junior college over the last two seasons, as they were named to the NJCAA DI Softball First-Team All-America team for the second consecutive year earlier this week.. This season, Heyl finished the year with a 35-2 record, 173 strikeouts, and a 0.94 ERA (the second-best in the nation and a school record). Earlier this year, Heyl was named a First-team All-FCSAA and the Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year. On March 7th, Heyl earned a season high in strikeouts against Lansing when they struck out 14 batters while not allowing any earned runs and only four hits.

"Cailyn has been the heart and soul of our team all season. Her relentless work ethic, leadership, and perseverance set the standard we all strived to follow," Northwest Florida State head softball coach Andy Lee said.

The Louisiana native was one of four returners from last year's team who finished in fourth place at the 2024 NJCAA Division I Softball World Series, and was able to bring home the National Championship trophy in 2025. Heyl was a first-team All-America selection in 2024.

The Raiders were selected as one of four at-large teams in the 20-team field, and were the highest-seeded at-large team, earning the No. 3 overall seed. Heyl pitched every inning in the World Series for the Raiders. Over those five games, the Raiders ace finished with 35.0 innings, 25 strikeouts, and only allowing eight earned runs. In the national championship game against regional foe Florida Southwestern, Heyl was dominant in the circle once again and led the Raiders to their first Softball National Championship. Heyl threw 7.0 innings, striking out seven batters, and only allowing one earned run. The Raiders won the National Championship 4-1. These efforts earned the ace the Most Outstanding Pitcher Award and the World Series' Most Valuable Player Award.

Throughout her two-year career at Northwest Florida State, Heyl leaves with a 72-4 record, 419.0 innings pitched, 304 strikeouts, and a career ERA of 1.29. Heyl's 72 career wins are a school record.

Heyl will continue her softball career at the University of South Alabama.

Accomplishments

• 2025 NJCAA DI Softball National Champion

• 2025 NJCAA DI Softball World Series - Most Outstanding Pitcher

• 2025 NJCAA DI Softball World Series - Most Valuable Player

• Two-time NJCAA DI Softball First-Team All-America Selection

• 2025 NFCA NJCAA DI Pitcher of the Year

• First-Team All-FCSAA

• First-Team All-Panhandle Conference

• Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year