Heyl, Arnold and Shirah Named to NJCAA All-America Team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Tuesday afternoon, the NJCAA unveiled its 2024 Softball All-America Teams, featuring three Raiders players. Cailyn Heyl (Pitcher) and Sister Arnold (Infield) earned first-team All-America honors, while Ashlyn Shirah (Outfield) was named to the third team.

Heyl had an outstanding season, achieving a record-breaking 37 wins for Northwest Florida State. She led the conference with a 1.60 ERA and 131 strikeouts. Her 37 wins topped the NJCAA, and she ranked third in innings pitched (218.8), seventh in shutouts (7), and fifth in complete games (25). Heyl was named both Panhandle Conference and Region VIII Pitcher of the Year, adding First-Team All-American to her impressive freshman accolades.

Arnold, also a freshman, had a stellar year. Over 64 games, she posted a .398 batting average with 82 hits, 20 home runs, and 81 RBIs—setting a program record for single-season RBIs. She was 16th in the NJCAA for home runs, 12th for RBIs, and 17th for total bases (160). Arnold was named Panhandle Conference player of the year and was a First-Team Region VIII selection. 

Shirah had an equally remarkable season, leading the team with a .418 batting average, .827 slugging percentage, 82 hits, 39 walks, and 46 stolen bases. She was second on the team with 78 RBIs and tied for second with 13 home runs. Nationally, she ranked fifth in runs (87), seventh in doubles (25) and triples (8), 13th in total bases (162), 11th in walks, and 14th in stolen bases. Shirah was named First-Team All-Panhandle and All-Region VIII. She recently committed to continuing her career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, along with Britt Bourgoyne and McKayla Ferguson.