Lancaster, Pa. – (5/14/2026) – Following a repeat championship for Marymount University, Commissioner Rebecca Mullen has officially announced the members of the
2026 All-Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Softball Team and Major Award Winners. The Saints offered the 2026 AEC Softball Player of the Year and 2026 AEC Softball Pitcher of the Year in seniors Kaylee Atkins (Chesapeake, Va.) and Bailey Demusz (Doylestown, Pa.), respectively. Their leadership, Head Coach Leigh Murray-Winstead and her assistants; Dori Loukopoulos, Laurenne Gallagher, Jordan Tallman, Elizabeth Corcoran, Samantha Cinotti were recognized as the 2026 AEC Softball Coaching Staff of the Year. Marywood University freshman utility/pitcher Amber Little (West Milford, N.J.) was named the 2026 AEC Softball Rookie of the Year. Honoring the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA) competing at the finals site, the Elite Scholar Athlete Award went to Neumann University Rylie Norris (Sewell, N.J.). Gwynedd Mercy University was represented on the 2026 All-AEC Softball Team with a Second Team selection for junior catcher/third baseman Maya Hellyer (Quakertown, Pa.).
 
Atkins (40 games played – 40 games started) scored 28 runs and knocked in 38 for Marymount University with a .462 (61-for-132)/.490/.652 slash line. She recorded 42 singles, 16 doubles, and three home runs for 86 total bases, while drawing seven walks, and enduring a couple beanballs. Atkins struck out just six times and she stole one base (1-of-1, 1.000).
 
Demusz (25 appearances – 19 games started) was 12-7 with a save on the strength of a 4.49 earned run average (ERA) and 1.42 walks-plus-hits/inning pitched (WHIP) over 116.1 innings. She allowed 58 earned runs on 116 hits and 49 walks, while striking out 100 opponents on a .257 batting average. Demusz hit six batsmen and threw eight wild pitches.
 
Marymount University finished 2026 with a 24-17 overall record and a 11-1 standing in the AEC. The Saints scored 257 runs with a .337 (378-for-1,121)/.411/.453 slash line and held their opponents to 222 runs with a 6.56 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. Their pitching staff totaled 198 strikeouts and held the opposition to a .303 (328-for-1,084) batting average. They hit 18 batsmen and threw 25 wild pitches.
 
Little (30gp-26gs) made an immediate impact for the Pacers with 15 runs scored and 23 runs-batted-in (RBI) on a .420 (34-for-81)/.437/.642 slash line. She totaled 21 singles, nine doubles, three triples, and one home run for 52 total bases, while drawing four walks. Little struck out eight times and stole one base (1-of-1, 1.000). A pitcher as well, Little (6app-3gs) allowed 16 earned runs on 12 hits and 18 walks over eight innings (8.0 IP).
 
Hellyer (29gp-24gs) scored 10 runs and knocked in 11 with 25 singles; with just singles, she sported a .342 (25-of-73)/.407/.342 slash line and totaled just 25 bases. Hellyer drew six walks and was beamed twice, while only striking out twice. Defensively, the Red and Gold captain was solid behind the plate with a .953 fielding percentage (FLD%) (36PO+5A/36PO+5A+2E). She threw out two base stealers in 30 attempts and allowed just two passed balls.
 
The complete 2026 All-AEC Softball Team and Major Award Winners are listed below and available using the provided links.
 
2026 All-Atlantic East Conference (AEC)
Softball Team & Major Award Winners
 
Player of the Year – Kaylee Atkins, Marymount University
Pitcher of the Year – Bailey Demusz, Marymount University
Rookie of the Year – Amber Little, Marywood University
Coaching Staff of the Year – Marymount University
Elite Scholar Athlete Award – Rylie Norris, Neumann University
 
1st Team
 
Catcher
Haley Greer, Marymount University
 
First Base
Kaylee Atkins, Marymount University
 
Second Base
Haylee Carpenter, Marymount University
 
Shortstop
Alexis Andrada, Immaculata University
 
Third Base
Tori Para, Marywood University
 
Outfield
Gracie Himmelman, Marymount University
Riley Marshall, Marywood University
Kara Reyes, Saint Elizabeth University
 
Designated Hitter
Amber Little, Marywood University
 
Utility
Marina Costello, Neumann University
 
Pitcher
Bailey Demusz, Marymount University
Rebecca DiLeo, Neumann University
 
At-Large
Emily Ammon, Neumann University
Kat Davis, Marywood University
 
2nd Team
 
At-Large
Kami DeGaetani, Saint Elizabeth University
Josilynn Garcia, Saint Elizabeth University
Grace Gilbert, Marymount University.
Valeria Gutierrez De Oliveira, Marymount University
Maya Hellyer, Gwynedd Mercy University
Carlee Karcher, Immaculata University
Lauryn Notari, Marywood University
Rylee Norris, Neumann University
Samantha Richtol, Marymount University
Marley Sarafinko, Marywood University
Tori Spinella, Neumann University
Brianna Voyer, Marywood University
Ellie Zarnawski, Neumann University