MAC Tournament: Top Seeded Akron Opens Postseason Play against No. 4 Ohio

Thursday, May 7

Firestone Stadium | Akron, Ohio

Noon

University of Akron

Ohio

Action Photos of Akron Softball vs Buffalo 4-11-26 GM1

MAC Tournament: Top Seeded Akron Opens Postseason Play against No. 4 Ohio

May 06 | Softball

WHATS AHEAD
The No. 1 Akron softball team begins the 2026 Mid-American Conference Softball Tournament against No. 4 Ohio on Thursday, May 7 at 12 p.m. at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
May 7 vs 4 Ohio | 12 PM | ESPN+ | Stats | MAC Tournament Central

FIRST TIME SINCE 1998
The Zips claimed their first MAC Regular Season title since 1998 when they defeated Central Michigan twice on Saturday, May 2. The Blue and Gold were named the MAC East Division champions in 2002.

ALL-MAC AWARDS
Akron took home nine All-MAC awards, as announced by the conference office on Wednesday, May 6.

Craig Nicholson was named the Coach of the Year after leading Akron to their best season since 1998.

Nicholson guided the Zips to a 21-6 record in conference and a 31-23 record overall. This marks the third time he's been named the MAC Coach of the Year after receiving the honor twice at Ball State (2009+2013). He has also claimed the MAC Regular Season title five times (4x at Ball State, 1x at Akron), which is tied for the second most.

Katie Cantrell took home the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-MAC First Team. Playing and starting 51 games this season for the Zips, Cantrell averaged a .299 batting average, and .346 in conference, with 43 hits, 10 doubles, three home runs and one triple while driving in 28 runs and scoring 23 times. She was especially effective at preventing stolen bases, throwing out 12 runners while limiting opponents to 8-of-20 on stolen bases on the year.

Meagan Lee earned All-MAC First Team honors for the second straight season. Lee led the Zips with 75 hits, 36 coming in the MAC, while producing 11 doubles, one triple, 20 RBI and a team-high 47 runs. This marks the third straight season with 70+ hits. She finished the regular season with a .414 batting average while compiling a .379 average in conference play.

Sophia Wygast led the charge with a team-leading 11 home runs and 60 RBI to earn a spot on the All-MAC First Team for the second straight season. Hitting .357 overall and a team-best .402 in conference, Wygast produced 60 hits, 10 doubles, to go along with her team-leading 11 home runs. She added a .613 slugging percentage while drawing 24 walks.

The Zips also saw three players named to the All-MAC Second Team, with Haley Glass, Madie Jamrog and Lily Sullivan earning honors.

Glass showed a great balance between contact and power. She hit .316 with 37 hits while recording seven doubles and nine home runs. Scoring 31 runs, she also drove in 29 while recording a .607 slugging percentage.

Jamrog led the Zips in the circle, going 16-6 in 29 appearances and 22 starts. She threw 14 complete games while recording two shutouts over 156.1 innings of work. Striking out 87 batters, she held opposing batters to a .292 average. She was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team last season.

Sullivan was third on the squad with a .335 batting average, where she produced 55 hits, a team-leading 13 doubles, two triples and four home runs. She finished the regular season with 35 RBI and 31 runs.

Kenzie Gatti took home a spot on the All-MAC Freshman team. She hit .279 in conference action, recording 19 hits, 19 runs, six doubles, four home runs and 18 RBI in #MACtion.