GREENWOOD, Ind. – – For their work both on the field and in the classroom, five members of the Ball State softball team were named to the 2026 Academic All-District® Softball Team as selected by College Sports Communicators.
Junior shortstop Maia Pietrzak and senior designated player / pitcher Ella Whitney both earn the honor for the second straight seasons. Senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoecksenior outfielder Ashlee Lovett and redshirt junior pitcher Bridie Murphy are all first-time recipients.
Pietrzak started all 36 games she played, before suffering a season-ending injury versus Indiana State (April 15). She ranked third on the squad with a .341 batting average, while scoring 33 runs and driving in 17 RBI. She was also the Cardinals’ top base running threat, with 11 stolen bases in 12 attempts.
Whitney was a two-way threat for Ball State, leading the squad with 14 home runs and 58 RBI, while scoring 28 runs and boasting a .361 batting average. She also picked up five wins in the circle, throwing 61.1 innings on the year.
DeRoeck led the Cardinals with a .371 batting average in her lone season on the squad, while ranking up 41 RBI and scoring 14 runs. She finished the season one double shy of the program’s single season mark with 18, while adding a pair of triples and four home runs.
Lovett finished the season with a .256 batting average, while ranking third on the team with 29 runs scored. She also collected 18 RBI and registered six doubles.
Murphy led the pitching staff with a 4.34 ERA, while earning eight wins over a team-high 101.2 innings of work. She also struck out a team-high 59 batters, while owning a team-best 1.60 WHIP.
To be eligible for Academic All-District® consideration, student-athletes must be a starter or key reserve, reach at least sophomore status academically, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.50 and be nominated by her sports information director.
Junior shortstop Maia Pietrzak and senior designated player / pitcher Ella Whitney both earn the honor for the second straight seasons. Senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoecksenior outfielder Ashlee Lovett and redshirt junior pitcher Bridie Murphy are all first-time recipients.
Pietrzak started all 36 games she played, before suffering a season-ending injury versus Indiana State (April 15). She ranked third on the squad with a .341 batting average, while scoring 33 runs and driving in 17 RBI. She was also the Cardinals’ top base running threat, with 11 stolen bases in 12 attempts.
Whitney was a two-way threat for Ball State, leading the squad with 14 home runs and 58 RBI, while scoring 28 runs and boasting a .361 batting average. She also picked up five wins in the circle, throwing 61.1 innings on the year.
DeRoeck led the Cardinals with a .371 batting average in her lone season on the squad, while ranking up 41 RBI and scoring 14 runs. She finished the season one double shy of the program’s single season mark with 18, while adding a pair of triples and four home runs.
Lovett finished the season with a .256 batting average, while ranking third on the team with 29 runs scored. She also collected 18 RBI and registered six doubles.
Murphy led the pitching staff with a 4.34 ERA, while earning eight wins over a team-high 101.2 innings of work. She also struck out a team-high 59 batters, while owning a team-best 1.60 WHIP.
To be eligible for Academic All-District® consideration, student-athletes must be a starter or key reserve, reach at least sophomore status academically, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.50 and be nominated by her sports information director.
