Softball All-OAC Teams & Special Awards 2026

5/12/2026 11:06:58 AM

Softball All-OAC Teams & Special Awards 2026

John Wells OAC Pitcher-of-the-Year
Kendyll Cahill | Mount Union

Mount Union senior Kendyll Cahill Named John Wells OAC Pitcher-of-the-Year for the third time. In conference play, Cahill posted a 10-0 record with a 1.69 earned-run average. She struck out 37 and walked just 14 batters in 54 innings of work. Cahill has been named First Team All-OAC. The Pitcher-of-the-Year award is named in honor of the late John Wells, long-time pitching coach at Muskingum.

Gayle Lauth OAC Player-of-the-Year
Cara Taylor | Muskingum

Muskingum senior Cara Taylor was selected as the OAC Gayle Lauth OAC Player-of-the-Year by the league coaches. Taylor finished conference play batting .519 (28-of-54) with a .600 on base percentage, 11 RBI, 10 doubles and four triples. She has been named First Team All-OAC. The award is named after Gayle Lauth, who was an administrator of women's sports at Ohio Northern for 32 years.

OAC Rookie-of-the- Year
Cara Meyer | Heidelberg

Heidelberg freshman utility player Cara Meyer has been named the OAC Rookie-of-the-Year. Against conference opponents, Meyer batted .414 (24 of 58) with 14 runs, eight doubles and 14 RBI.

Donna J. Newberry Coaching Staff-of-the-Year
Mount Union

Mount Union has been named the OAC Coaching Staff-of-the-Year. Ten-year head coach Meghan Simons is assisted by Jillia Cook, Erika Warren and Zoey Devore. The Purple Raiders are
currently ranked 11^th nationally and won the OAC Regular-Season title with a 15-1 conference record and advanced to the tournament finals. The Staff-of-the-Year award is named in honor of the late Donna Newberry, who served as head coach of the Muskingum Softball program for 36 seasons. Newberry assed a record of 906-419-1 and helped guide Muskingum to 17 conference championships, 18 NCAA regional appearances, eight national championship appearances and the 2001 NCAA Division III Softball National Championship