LOUISVILLE, KY - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has released its list of All-Region honorees for the 2025 Division III softball season. Included in this year's top talent from the Region III ranks are two exceptional Pioneer sluggers. It might sound like a broken record at this point, but Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) and Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) have taken home ANOTHER award, this time with both players being named to All-Region III teams.
 
Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) | Senior | First Team All-Region III Shortstop
 
Beleza adds another accolade to her ever-growing trophy cabinet, this time being named the top shortstop in all of Region III (New York area). The Amherstview native finished this year with an outrageous 60 hits and a .492 batting average. This meteoric rise comes after her first season with the team where she had just 12 hits in 27 at-bats, showing the massive difference one year can make when a player is dedicated to their craft. Beleza transferred in from Jefferson Community College in the fall of 2023 and has made her mark in Utica during the two years since, posting a career batting average of .483 with the Pioneers. Beleza has also racked up 72 career hits and 42 career RBIs in addition to a .604 slugging percentage while donning the orange and blue. After achieving a slew of awards at the NJCAA level, Beleza has added a bevy of accomplishments to her resume during this senior season.
 
Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) | Sophomore | Second Team All-Region III Shortstop
 
Little landed on the All-Region III Second Team as a utility player after demonstrating outstanding skill both behind the dish, as the game one catcher, and also up the middle at both shortstop and second base. The California native paired this fielding ability with outstanding offensive numbers during her sophomore campaign, batting .486 with 53 hits and 34 RBIs. She also slugged a ridiculous .688. Little has been dominant in her two years with the team, posting a career average of .411 with 83 career hits and 50 RBIs. Last year, Little received a couple of accolades after a phenomenal freshman campaign, while this season she has upped the ante considerably, taking home even more hardware and now receiving her first All-Region nod.
 
The Pioneers made even more noise in the Empire 8 Tournament thanks to the duo of Beleza and Little, and will look to build upon their recent sustained postseason success heading into next season.