Muhlenberg shortstop Josie Hoffacker was named a finalist for the 2026 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Freshman of the Year award. 

Hoffacker is one of 10 finalists, one from each of the NCAA's 10 regions. Representing Region V, she is the first Mule ever to be named regional freshman of the year.

Hoffacker started all 49 games in her debut collegiate season, hitting .398 to rank second on the team. She led Muhlenberg with a .496 on-base percentage, 21 walks, 31 stolen bases, and seven sacrifices and also was second on the team in runs scored (38).

A first-team All-Centennial Conference and first-team all-region selection, Hoffacker was one of eight players in Division III to steal at least 30 bases without getting caught.

Hoffacker was part of tremendous first-year class that included a different freshman, pitcher Eden Clark, who was named Centennial Conference rookie of the year and yet another one, outfielder Sofia Gallahue, who earned all-region recognition.

The young talent combined with returning players to produce a banner season for the Mules. The finished with a record of 36-13, setting a school record for all sports for wins in a season, received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, and won a regional for the first time in program history by taking three games against nationally ranked opponents in two days. In the NCAA super regional, Muhlenberg took defending national champion Trine to the brink, going into extra innings in the third game of the series before falling on a walkoff home run.