The softball season is underway in NCAA Division I, II and NAIA, and it opens in Division III this weekend. Here are some top area players to watch:

Kaitlyn Beers, IUP

Junior second baseman earned PSAC Central Athlete of the Year last season after leading team with 33 RBIs, 46 hits, 33 runs and .575 slugging percentage. … Second on team with .362 average.

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Maddie Horn, Point Park

Sophomore outfielder led Pioneers with a .350 average, 19 runs and a .427 on-base average last season. … Hitting .353 this year with a team-high five runs.

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Rachel Johnson, W&J

Senior second baseman earned honorable mention preseason All-American honors from Fastpitch News. … Led PAC and was 17th in Division III with a .492 average last season. … Ranked eighth in nation with 20 doubles. … Also stole 17 bases and drove in 28 runs in earning first-team All-PAC.

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Brittany Knight, Pitt

Redshirt sophomore pitcher was injured much of last season but fared well as a freshman, going 6-0 in her first six games. … Finished 13-12 with a 4.11 ERA. … Led team in wins and innings (151.2).

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Kelly Lafferty, Allegheny

Sophomore outfielder earned North Coast Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year last season, leading the team with a .430 average, 33 runs, 46 hits and 13 doubles. … Also drove in 18 runs and recorded a .516 on-base percentage.

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Kailey Myers, Slippery Rock

Senior shortstop was named PSAC West Athlete of the Year last season. … Hit .419 with eight home runs and 39 RBIs. … Batted .489 with runners in scoring position. … Ranked third in PSAC with .493 on-base percentage.

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Alona Sleith, Saint Vincent

Yough graduate dominated as freshman, breaking the school’s single-season homer record with 11. … Her 38 RBIs led the PAC and ranked as the third-highest total in school history. … Led PAC with a .460 average and 22 RBIs in conference games. … Earned first-team All-PAC and first-team All-Central Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

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