The University of Akron Athletics
Sophia Wygast Earns 2026 NFCA DI All-Region Team
May 14 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron softball program has had a historic season with several honors and awards and added another as infielder Sophia Wygast was named to the 2026 National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) DI All-Region Team for the Great Lakes Region, the association announced Thursday.
Wygast was named to the 2026 NFCAA DI All-Region Great Lakes Third Team and has been Akron's most dangerous power hitter in 2026. She posted a .339 batting average with team-highs in home runs (11) and RBI (60). The 60 RBIs stand as a new program single-season record.
In 55 starts, she has posted a .582 slugging percentage and .427 on-base percentage across 177 at-bats, with 10 doubles and 26 walks against 25 strikeouts. Defensively she has been nearly flawless, posting a .996 fielding percentage with only one error in 285 chances with 281 putouts. Wygast was a First-Team All-MAC Selection and help guide the Zips to their first-ever NCAA Softball Tournament appearance after securing the 2026 MAC Regular Season and Tournament titles.
The 2026 Zips produced one of the best seasons in program history, setting numerous team and individual records. Akron has set new program highs in RBI (303), walks (211) and home runs (55). The Zips are three runs away from setting the single-season record for runs scored in a season (326). Wygast set the single-season record for RBI (60) while Meagan Lee holds the record for career hits (280) career runs scored (150), while Brooke Sivek currently is second in career runs scored (149).
2026 NFCA DI All-Region Great Lakes
First Team All-Region
Pitcher - Marina Mason, Northwestern
Pitcher - Izzy Kemp, Dayton
Pitcher - Ella Troutt, Indiana
Catcher - Aglaia Rudd, Robert Morris
First Base - Makena Alexander, Butler
Second Base - Aly VanBrandt, Indiana
Third Base - Mary Brant, Robert Morris
Shortstop - Abbie Wilhelm, Ohio State
Outfield - Moriah Polar, Purdue
Outfield - Lauren Putz, Michigan
Outfield - Bailey Manos, Miami (OH)
Utility/Pitcher - Erin Hoehn, Michigan
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher - Haley Painter, Purdue
Second Team All-Region
Pitcher - Presley Hosick, Miami (OH)
Pitcher - Julia Gossett, Purdue
Catcher - Emma Raye, Northwestern
First Base - Josie Bird, Indiana
Second Base - Anna Moore, Purdue
Third Base - Shelby Westler, Ohio
Shortstop - Alex Cooper, Indiana
Outfield - Hadley Parisien, Ohio State
Outfield - Belle Hummel, Ohio
Outfield - Taylor Cruse, Ohio State
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher - Courtney Poulich, Robert Morris
Third Team All-Region
Pitcher - Shelby Jacobson, Wisconsin
Pitcher - Jenna Molk, Ohio State
Catcher - Avery Parker, Indiana
First Base - Sophia Wygast, Akron
Second Base - Ava Zachary, Notre Dame
Third Base - Madalyn Strader, Indiana
Third Base - Lizzie Stiverson, Eastern Illinois
Shortstop - Danitza Hernandez, Miami (OH)
Outfield - Jenissa Conway, Michigan
Outfield - Hailey Conger, Butler
Outfield - Kaylie Avvisato, Northwestern
Outfield - Cassidy Kettleman, Indiana
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher - Maggie Murphy, Oakland
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher - Sofia Zielinski, Saint Francis (PA)
Wygast was named to the 2026 NFCAA DI All-Region Great Lakes Third Team and has been Akron's most dangerous power hitter in 2026. She posted a .339 batting average with team-highs in home runs (11) and RBI (60). The 60 RBIs stand as a new program single-season record.
In 55 starts, she has posted a .582 slugging percentage and .427 on-base percentage across 177 at-bats, with 10 doubles and 26 walks against 25 strikeouts. Defensively she has been nearly flawless, posting a .996 fielding percentage with only one error in 285 chances with 281 putouts. Wygast was a First-Team All-MAC Selection and help guide the Zips to their first-ever NCAA Softball Tournament appearance after securing the 2026 MAC Regular Season and Tournament titles.
The 2026 Zips produced one of the best seasons in program history, setting numerous team and individual records. Akron has set new program highs in RBI (303), walks (211) and home runs (55). The Zips are three runs away from setting the single-season record for runs scored in a season (326). Wygast set the single-season record for RBI (60) while Meagan Lee holds the record for career hits (280) career runs scored (150), while Brooke Sivek currently is second in career runs scored (149).
2026 NFCA DI All-Region Great Lakes
First Team All-Region
Pitcher - Marina Mason, Northwestern
Pitcher - Izzy Kemp, Dayton
Pitcher - Ella Troutt, Indiana
Catcher - Aglaia Rudd, Robert Morris
First Base - Makena Alexander, Butler
Second Base - Aly VanBrandt, Indiana
Third Base - Mary Brant, Robert Morris
Shortstop - Abbie Wilhelm, Ohio State
Outfield - Moriah Polar, Purdue
Outfield - Lauren Putz, Michigan
Outfield - Bailey Manos, Miami (OH)
Utility/Pitcher - Erin Hoehn, Michigan
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher - Haley Painter, Purdue
Second Team All-Region
Pitcher - Presley Hosick, Miami (OH)
Pitcher - Julia Gossett, Purdue
Catcher - Emma Raye, Northwestern
First Base - Josie Bird, Indiana
Second Base - Anna Moore, Purdue
Third Base - Shelby Westler, Ohio
Shortstop - Alex Cooper, Indiana
Outfield - Hadley Parisien, Ohio State
Outfield - Belle Hummel, Ohio
Outfield - Taylor Cruse, Ohio State
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher - Courtney Poulich, Robert Morris
Third Team All-Region
Pitcher - Shelby Jacobson, Wisconsin
Pitcher - Jenna Molk, Ohio State
Catcher - Avery Parker, Indiana
First Base - Sophia Wygast, Akron
Second Base - Ava Zachary, Notre Dame
Third Base - Madalyn Strader, Indiana
Third Base - Lizzie Stiverson, Eastern Illinois
Shortstop - Danitza Hernandez, Miami (OH)
Outfield - Jenissa Conway, Michigan
Outfield - Hailey Conger, Butler
Outfield - Kaylie Avvisato, Northwestern
Outfield - Cassidy Kettleman, Indiana
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher - Maggie Murphy, Oakland
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher - Sofia Zielinski, Saint Francis (PA)
Players Mentioned
2026 Akron Zips Softball - Selection Show Comments from Head Coach Craig Nicholson - 05.10.2026
Monday, May 11
2026 Akron Zips Softball - Selection Show Comments with Student-Athletes - Madie Jamrog & Meagan Lee
Monday, May 11
2026 Akron Zips Softball vs. Central Michigan - Game 3 | 05.03.26
Sunday, May 03
2026 Akron Zips Softball vs. Central Michigan (Doubleheader) | Game 2 | 05.02.26
Saturday, May 02
