Following a vote by the conference's eight head coaches prior to the conference tournament, the Liberty League has announced its 2024 Softball Major Awards and All-League teams.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Devin Fitzpatrick, Senior, IF/P, Clarkson University
For the first time since 2021, a Clarkson University softball player has been named the Liberty League Player of the Year with senior Devin Fitzpatrick earning the 2025 accolade. Fitzpatrick was a dual threat for the Golden Knights with her bat and arm. From the plate, she paced the conference in home runs (15), runs batted in (44), and slugging percentage (.843). She boasted a .357 batting average with 41 hits in 115 at-bats. Fitzpatrick topped the team and league with 97 total bases. She also scored a team-best 30 runs and totaled 26 extra-base hits (11 2B, 15 HR). Fitzpatrick set multiple Clarkson single-season records this year—home runs, runs batted in, total bases, and slugging percentage. From the circle, Fitzpatrick compiled a 2.03 earned run average, good for third among conference pitchers. She totaled a league-high 134.1 innings pitched and struck out 90, ranking second among league leaders. Fitzpatrick was 13-7 in 29 appearances to go along with three saves and 11 complete games. She was also among the league’s top five in saves (1st), wins (4th), and opponents’ batting average (5th, .249).
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Anna Cornell, Senior, Ithaca
An Ithaca pitcher has been recognized with Liberty League Pitcher of the Year honors for the first time since 2019. Anna Cornell is the 2025 recipient with a 15-3 overall record, including an unblemished 7-0 mark in league play. Cornell has a league-low 1.06 earned run average and held opponents to a league-low .158 batting average. She also leads the league in strikeouts (182) while ranking fourth in innings pitched (112.2). Nationally, Cornell is among DIII’s top ten in hits allowed per seven innings (5th, 3.91), strikeouts (7th), and earned run average (10th). In the league tournament, Cornell was recognized as the Most Outstanding Performer after going 3-0 across 19.0 innings. She totaled 26 strikeouts and posted a 0.74 earned run average. Cornell saved her best for the championship game, striking out nine and allowing just one hit in Ithaca’s 8-0 victory over RPI.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Gaby Heim, Pitcher, RPI
For the third consecutive year, a RPI first-year softball player has been selected as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. Gaby Heim is this year’s honoree as the first year made an immediate impact for the Engineers from the circle, appearing in 19 games, including 13 starts. She totaled 89.0 innings and went 9-4 with a 2.28 earned run average. She allowed 68 hits and held batters to hitting .213. Among league leaders, Heim is ranked second in opposing batting average, sixth in earned run average and wins, as well as seventh in strikeouts.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Clarkson University – Head Coach Kristen McGaughey; Assistant Coach Sierra Ashley
Clarkson University head coach Kristen McGaughey and assistant coach Sierra Ashley were selected as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. They directed the Golden Knights to a 22-15 overall record and an 11-3 record against conference opponents. Picked to finish sixth in the 2025 preseason poll, Clarkson improved its league win total by seven (11 overall) from last year to finish 10-4 in league play and earn the third seed in the 2025 tournament. Devin Fitzpatrick set single season records in home runs (15), runs batted in (44), total bases (97), and slugging percentage (.843) this year. Zoey Kovach tied the single-season doubles mark (14) and Isabel Haspil totaled a single-season best 19 walks.