Canyon, Texas – Lady Buff Softball Star Receives NCAA Scholarship

In a significant achievement for the West Texas A&M University community, graduate Heidi Vortherms has been awarded a $10,000 postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA. This scholarship is given each semester to 42 athletes across the country who have completed their final year, focusing on leadership, academic excellence, and athletic performance. Vortherms is among the 21 women selected for the Spring semester, standing out as one of only four softball players chosen.

Not only did Vortherms excel in her studies, having been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and All-Region teams this past season, but she also made a significant impact on the field. Helping her team achieve a total of 56 wins, Vortherms played a crucial role in securing 20 victories, including two shutouts, with just three losses in her 28 starts.

During her time on the mound, the South Dakota native pitched for a total of 133 innings, facing 559 batters and striking out nearly 25% of them. Her season high for strikeouts was an impressive 11 against Cameron in February. She finished the season with an impressive 2.05 earned run average (ERA), the lowest among any Lady Buff pitcher who averaged more than one inning per game, showcasing her skill and consistency.

Along with her impressive pitching stats, Vortherms allowed only 24 walks throughout the season, averaging 1.26 walks per game—ranking her tied for the 43rd best in the nation among all NCAA Division 2 pitchers.

Her outstanding performance did not go unnoticed, as she earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named to the Second Team All-Region by both the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

This recognition reinforces Vortherms’ legacy at West Texas A&M as not only an exceptional athlete but also a dedicated leader in the community.