GREENWOOD, Ind. – – For their work each on the sphere and within the classroom, 5 members of the Ball State softball group had been named to the 2026 Academic All-District® Softball Team as chosen by College Sports Communicators.
Junior shortstop Maia Pietrzak and senior designated participant / pitcher Ella Whitney each earn the respect for the second straight seasons. Senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck, senior outfielder Ashlee Lovett and redshirt junior pitcher Bridie Murphy are all first-time recipients.
Pietrzak began all 36 video games she performed, earlier than struggling a season-ending damage versus Indiana State (April 15). She ranked third on the squad with a .341 batting common, whereas scoring 33 runs and driving in 17 RBI. She was additionally the Cardinals’ high base working menace, with 11 stolen bases in 12 makes an attempt.
Whitney was a two-way menace for Ball State, main the squad with 14 dwelling runs and 58 RBI, whereas scoring 28 runs and boasting a .361 batting common. She additionally picked up 5 wins within the circle, throwing 61.1 innings on the 12 months.
DeRoeck led the Cardinals with a .371 batting common in her lone season on the squad, whereas rating up 41 RBI and scoring 14 runs. She completed the season one double shy of this system’s single season mark with 18, whereas including a pair of triples and 4 dwelling runs.
Lovett completed the season with a .256 batting common, whereas rating third on the group with 29 runs scored. She additionally collected 18 RBI and registered six doubles.
Murphy led the pitching workers with a 4.34 ERA, whereas incomes eight wins over a team-high 101.2 innings of labor. She additionally struck out a team-high 59 batters, whereas proudly owning a team-best 1.60 WHIP.
To be eligible for Academic All-District® consideration, student-athletes have to be a starter or key reserve, attain no less than sophomore standing academically, keep a cumulative grade-point common of no less than 3.50 and be nominated by her sports activities info director.
Junior shortstop Maia Pietrzak and senior designated participant / pitcher Ella Whitney each earn the respect for the second straight seasons. Senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck, senior outfielder Ashlee Lovett and redshirt junior pitcher Bridie Murphy are all first-time recipients.
Pietrzak began all 36 video games she performed, earlier than struggling a season-ending damage versus Indiana State (April 15). She ranked third on the squad with a .341 batting common, whereas scoring 33 runs and driving in 17 RBI. She was additionally the Cardinals’ high base working menace, with 11 stolen bases in 12 makes an attempt.
Whitney was a two-way menace for Ball State, main the squad with 14 dwelling runs and 58 RBI, whereas scoring 28 runs and boasting a .361 batting common. She additionally picked up 5 wins within the circle, throwing 61.1 innings on the 12 months.
DeRoeck led the Cardinals with a .371 batting common in her lone season on the squad, whereas rating up 41 RBI and scoring 14 runs. She completed the season one double shy of this system’s single season mark with 18, whereas including a pair of triples and 4 dwelling runs.
Lovett completed the season with a .256 batting common, whereas rating third on the group with 29 runs scored. She additionally collected 18 RBI and registered six doubles.
Murphy led the pitching workers with a 4.34 ERA, whereas incomes eight wins over a team-high 101.2 innings of labor. She additionally struck out a team-high 59 batters, whereas proudly owning a team-best 1.60 WHIP.
To be eligible for Academic All-District® consideration, student-athletes have to be a starter or key reserve, attain no less than sophomore standing academically, keep a cumulative grade-point common of no less than 3.50 and be nominated by her sports activities info director.