Former NEO softball star Rylee Bayless inducted into NJCAA Softball Hall of Fame
MIAMI, Okla. – Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) is proud to announce that former Lady Norse standout Rylee Bayless has been inducted into the NJCAA Softball Hall of Fame.
One of the most accomplished athletes in NEO history, Bayless left a lasting legacy not only at NEO, but across NJCAA Division I softball.
A native of Winnetonka, Missouri, Bayless competed at NEO in 2015 and 2016, where she quickly established herself as a dominant force. As a freshman, she led the nation in hits (133), runs scored (97), and batting average (.576), propelling NEO to a 50-16 record and a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament.
She followed that incredible season with an even more dominant sophomore campaign, again leading the nation in multiple statistical categories including hits (118), runs (111), batting average (.621), walks (55), on-base percentage (.703), and slugging percentage (1.163). She set the NJCAA record for most career hits with 251 over two seasons.
Bayless’s honors are extensive:
- Two-time NJCAA Region II Player of the Year
- Two-time NJCAA 1st Team All-American
- Two-time NJCAA Division I Dudley National Player of the Year
- Two-time NJCAA District B Marucci Elite Hitter Award winner
- Member of the NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament Team (2015 & 2016)
- 2016 Betty Jo Graber NJCAA Female Athlete of the Year
- 2016 NJCAA National Tournament Most Valuable Offensive Player
“What an honor and privilege it is to be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame,” said Bayless. “Words cannot describe how grateful I am for NEO softball and the great town of Miami, Oklahoma. Being surrounded by the teammates, coaches, trainers, and community I have, it leaves you no other option but to be successful. I am so incredibly thankful and in debt to everyone who played a part in my journey along the way. Neither the timid nor the weak shall inherit the Norse tradition. Row Norse Row.”
Following her time at NEO, Bayless continued her softball career at Oklahoma State University, where she was a two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection and helped lead the Cowgirls to the 2019 NCAA Women’s College World Series.
Professionally, she has competed with Athletes Unlimited and for the Oklahoma City Spark, where she also served as the Director of Camps, mentoring the next generation of athletes. Bayless recently signed a professional contract overseas and is currently playing in the Netherlands for the Haarlem Sparks, continuing her elite softball career on an international stage.
“Rylee was a once-in-a-career type of player to bring into the program; she was a tenacious competitor with unlimited passion for the game,” said former NEO Softball Head Coach Eric Iverson. “A tireless worker, and I mean tireless, who invested everything she had to make sure she could maximize her contribution to NEO Softball. I am thrilled and grateful that the NJCAA Softball Coaches Association will honor one of the greatest to play Junior College softball.”
Bayless’s induction into the NJCAA Hall of Fame reflects not just her remarkable statistics, but her leadership and legacy in the sport. NEO congratulates Rylee on this well-deserved honor and celebrates her continued contributions to softball at every level.