Gallagher, Hales nab historic First Team All-America honors

Louisville, Ky. —- Catawba College utility player Brianna Gallagher and first baseman Kary Hales became the first players in Catawba College softball history to earn First Team All-America honors when the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) released their All-America teams late Wednesday and early Thursday.

Gallagher earned First Team honors from both organizations, making her a unanimous First Team All-America selection. The junior from Graham, N.C. enjoyed the most successful season of her career to date, blasting a program-record 16 homers along with a South Atlantic Conference-leading .480 batting average.

Gallagher made more history as being the first Catawba Indians to be named SAC Softball Player of the Year. She and Hales were unanimous First Team All-Region selections.

Hales wrapped up her career with the Catawba Indians with her best season, recording a .452 batting average with a nation-leading 20 doubles in the regular season with nine homers and a team-high 49 runs driven in. The senior from Salisbury also broke the career program doubles record with 55 to her name while closing out her memorable collegiate career with a .391 batting average across four seasons.

Gallagher and Hales are the first All-Americans under head coach Allie Lyerly and the first for the Catawba Indians since Riley Tucker in 2023. The duo are the first two First Team All-Americans in program history.