Cobleskill, NY: A historic season for the SUNY Cobleskill softball program was capped off in record-breaking fashion as seven Fighting Tigers were named to the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) First Team All-Conference, the most in program history.

Head Coach Morgan Flamholtz reflected on the achievement with pride and gratitude.

"This year has been a record-setting year all around," Flamholtz said. "Words can't describe how proud I am of this team. The growth we had over the season was amazing. This team accomplished every goal it set for itself. Seven First Team selections is just the icing on the cake."

Among the honorees were catcher Mackenzie Wendelken (Stuyvesant, NY/Ichabod Crane), utility/pitcher Gabriella Wendelken (Stuyvesant, NY/Ichabod Crane), second baseman Kylie Rattigan (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington), outfielders Aliyah Neeser (Forest Lake, Minn/Forest Lake Area) and Avery Prievo (Camden, NY), and pitchers Madelynn Orosz (Seymour, CT/Nonnewaug) and Jaydaci Chamberlain (Northborough, Mass/Norfolk County Ag.).

Mackenzie Wendelken, a senior and NAC Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, was a consistent presence both behind the dish and in the batter's box. She posted a .376 batting average with 38 hits, 28 runs, 14 doubles, and 32 RBIs. Her on-base percentage stood at .519 with a .515 slugging percentage, and she was rock-solid defensively with 98 putouts, 15 assists, and a .983 fielding percentage.

Second-year standout Kylie Rattigan anchored the infield and finished with a .308 average, nine doubles, 17 RBIs, and 33 hits. Known for her glove work at second, she recorded 72 putouts, 39 assists, five double plays, and a .957 fielding percentage.

"Kylie and Mackenzie were the heart of our defense," said Flamholtz. "Kylie locked down the left side with range and quickness, and Mackenzie was a calming leader behind the plate. She was a wall back there."

In the outfield, sophomore Aliyah Neeser and rookie Avery Prievo were difference-makers. Neeser led the team with 37 RBIs while batting .358 with a .509 slugging percentage and a .939 OPS. She tallied 50 putouts and 55 total defensive contributions.

Prievo emerged as one of the top freshmen in the league, finishing in the top 10 in conference play in batting average, slugging, on-base percentage, RBIs, doubles, and runs scored. She tied for the team lead with 38 hits, drove in 29 runs, and batted .339 with an .866 OPS.

"Aliyah and Avery were pillars in the outfield," Flamholtz said. "They covered ground and made plays that took away extra bases. If the ball was hit their way, we knew it had a good chance of being caught."

In the circle, junior Jaydaci Chamberlain and sophomore Madelynn Orosz earned First Team recognition for their strong performances. Chamberlain was undefeated in conference play, going 3-0 with a 3.41 ERA. Orosz posted a 10-4 overall record with a team-best 3.01 ERA across 17 appearances, a breakout year for the second-year pitcher.

Gabriella Wendelken, the NAC Rookie of the Year, had one of the top rookie seasons in the region. As a two-way player, she led the team with a .396 batting average, 1.095 OPS, and 36 hits, including 12 doubles, a triple, and a home run. She scored 34 runs and drove in 21, while slugging .582 and reaching base at a .513 clip.

In the circle, she notched an 8-4 record and led the staff with 75 strikeouts and a 4.41 ERA. In NAC play, she went 3-0 with 36 strikeouts in 25 innings, ranking second in the conference in strikeouts and among the league leaders in innings pitched and wins.

"Our pitching staff carried us through the year," said Flamholtz. "Each of them had different strengths and supported one another. That chemistry made us hard to beat."

Rounding out the honors was senior shortstop Kailee DiGiacco (Spencerport, NY), who was named to the NAC Softball Sportsmanship Team. The award recognizes student-athletes who demonstrate leadership, respect, and integrity on and off the field.

"Kailee's leadership was a major part of our team culture," Flamholtz said. "She helped our younger players grow and supported them in every way, on the field and in the classroom. She's leaving behind a strong legacy."