Darice Wheeler named to NFCA “Other Top Performances” list

Grinnell College Athletics

GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College’s Darice Wheeler ’21, already recognized recently as the Midwest Conference Softball Player of the Week, has also received national attention.

After an amazing week, Wheeler was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) “Other Top Performances” list.

Wheeler, a pitcher/second baseman from Evanston, Ill. (Cushing Academy), was simply phenomenal as the Pioneers won seven of eight games in the past week and posted their 10th MWC win, the most in program history. She hit a sizzling .630 in that span, going 17-of-27 at the plate with three home runs, four doubles, a triple, 21 RBIs and 12 runs scored.

She had a 1.185 slugging percentage and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 22 chances. The respect for Wheeler was displayed Saturday when she was intentionally walked with the bases loaded. She is already Grinnell’s all-time career and season leader for home runs with 14, and also has records for RBIs and total bases in a season with 51 and 102, respectively. Wheeler also starred as a pitcher, working in six games and going 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 30-2/3 innings of work.