Lancaster, Pa. – (4/13/2026) – Gwynedd Mercy University freshmen, outfielder Nya Brown (Whitehall, Pa.) and pitcher Rylie Fitzsimmons (Philadelphia, Pa.) were recognized on the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Softball Weekly Honor Roll for their performances during the Griffins' recent 2-6 week of games versus Penn State Harrisburg (L, 5-14 (5) and L, 3-12 (5) on Apr. 6), Neumann University (L, 4-8 and W, 4-2 on Apr. 8), Penn State Brandywine (L, 1-6 and L, 1-17 (5) on Apr. 9), and Saint Elizabeth University (W, 11-2 (5) and L, 3-6) on Apr. 11). Brown was 6-for-16 (.375) with a walk, three runs, and six runs-batted-in (RBI), while Fitzsimmons logged 13.2 innings and a 2-1 record in the circle; the former allowed six earned runs on 20 hits and six walks, while striking out five.
 
Brown and Fitzsimmons were joined on the AEC Softball Weekly Honor Roll by Marywood University senior outfielder Riley Marshall (Littleton, Colo.) and Saint Elizabeth University sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kara Reyes (Allentown, Pa.). The AEC Softball Player of the Week award went to Saint Elizabeth University junior infielder Josilynn Garcia (Northridge, Calif.), while the AEC Softball Pitcher of the Week award went to Neumann University junior Sydney Wright (Eastampton Township, N.J.).
 
Brown got hot late in a busy week as she went 6-for-10 in the Griffins' final six games. She tripled in a pair of runs (3-0) in a 4-2, game-two win at Neumann University, double in the second inning of a 6-1, game-one loss to the Brandywine Nittany Lions, and 4-for-4 with a walk, three runs, and 4 RBI in an AEC doubleheader split with Saint Elizabeth University. Brown was 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBI. In game one, Brown singled a run home in the second inning (1-1) before leading off the fourth with a triple and plating two later in the at-bat with a single through the middle; 10-2. In game two, she singled with one out in the second inning, brought a run home in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly (2-1), and drew a two-out walk in the sixth inning before scoring on failed fielder's choice (3-2).
 
Fitzsimmons saw a lot of action this week as she appeared in all four of the Griffins' doubleheaders. She threw two innings of relief in the first game at Penn State Harrisburg (L, 14-5 (5) on Apr. 6) and held those Nittany Lions to one run on two hits and a walk. Then, she picked up a win (1-1) in relief, as she struck out one while holding Neumann University to three hits and a walk over the final 3.2 innings of a 4-2, game-two win. Fitzsimmons struggled against the Brandywine Nittany Lions (L, 3.0 IP, 6H, 3ER, 1BB, 3K), but rebounded with a complete-game win (2-1) in the Griffins' 11-2, game-one win over Saint Elizabeth University. She struck out one Eagle, while holding them to two runs on nine hits and three walks.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University breaks from their AEC schedule to visit Eastern University for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday, April 15.