By: Madie Brink
BURNSVILLE, MINN. – University of Sioux Falls softball standout Maddi Duncan has been named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All-Conference First Team, the league office announced.
Duncan adds another prestigious honor to a dominant 2026 campaign in the circle, cementing her status as one of the premier pitchers in the NSIC and across NCAA Division II. The senior right-hander served as the cornerstone of the Cougar pitching staff, delivering consistency, durability, and elite production throughout the season.
Duncan compiled a 15-10 record across 30 appearances and 27 starts, tossing 177.0 innings while posting a stellar 1.86 ERA. She limited opponents to a .183 batting average while striking out 223 batters—ranking among the top marks in the conference and continuing her climb up the program's all-time leaderboard . Her ability to command the strike zone and generate swing-and-miss stuff made her one of the toughest arms to face all season.
A workhorse in every sense, Duncan recorded 24 complete games and five shutouts, consistently giving the Cougars a chance to win every time she stepped into the circle. Her performances included multiple double-digit strikeout outings and several statement wins against top NSIC competition.
This season also added to Duncan's already historic career at Sioux Falls. She became the program's all-time leader in strikeouts, complete games, shutouts, and opponent batting average, while continuing to rank inside the top-10 in every major pitching category in school history. Her impact has not only been statistical but foundational in elevating the Cougar pitching staff to one of the most competitive units in the conference.
Duncan's First Team All-NSIC selection marks another milestone in a decorated career that has included multiple NSIC Pitcher of the Week honors and national recognition, including being named to the NFCA Division II Pitcher of the Year Watchlist earlier this season.
With Duncan leading the way, Sioux Falls finished the regular season 28-27 overall and 16-14 in NSIC play, earning a spot in the NSIC Tournament. Her presence in the circle will continue to be a key factor as the Cougars look to make a postseason run.
NSIC Tournament Preview
With the regular season complete, Sioux Falls will enter the 2026 NSIC Softball Tournament as the No. 9 seed. The single-elimination tournament is set for May 6–9 at Bowden Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, hosted by Augustana University.
The Cougars will open postseason play against No. 8 seed Southwest Minnesota State at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6.
Sioux Falls is one of 10 teams to qualify for the tournament field after finishing 16-14 in NSIC play. Winona State and St. Cloud State shared the NSIC regular season title at 26-4, with Winona State earning the top seed via tiebreaker.
The winner of the NSIC Tournament will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Central Region Tournament, scheduled for May 14–16. NCAA selections will be announced on May 11.
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