Following a vote by the league's eight head coaches prior to the conference tournament, the Liberty League has announced its 2026 Softball major awards and All-League teams.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Riley Laygo, Junior, University of Rochester
For the second time since 2024, University of Rochester infielder Riley Laygo has been selected as the Liberty League Player of the Year. She closed out the 2026 regular season hitting .533 with 72 hits, including 37 for extra bases (18 2B, 4 3B, 15 HR), 56 runs scored, and 64 runs batted in. She was recognized as the 2026 Liberty League Championship’s Most Outstanding Performer with a .538 batting average (7-for-13) across five games with nine runs scored, two doubles, one home run, and five RBIs as she led the Yellowjackets to the 2026 league title. Laygo started all 43 games for Rochester this season and tops the Liberty League in batting average (.534), slugging percentage (1.047), on-base percentage (.575), runs (65), hits (79), RBIs (69), doubles (20), and home runs (16). She is also among the conference’s top ten in at-bats (2nd, 148), triples (3rd, 4), stolen bases (4th, 24), and walks (16th). A four-time Liberty League Performer of the Week, Laygo leads Division III in total bases with 155 and is among Division III’s top eight in slugging percentage (2nd), hits (2nd), home runs (3rd), RBIs (3rd, 1.60), runs (3rd), and batting average (7th).
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Molly Broccolo, Senior, University of Rochester
University of Rochester senior Molly Broccolo was named the Liberty League Pitcher of the Year. It is the first time since 2022 that a Yellowjacket has garnered the accolade. Broccolo was the Yellowjackets’ ace with 35 appearances and 29 starts this year. She posted an overall record of 19-5 while compiling a 2.41 earned run average in 133.2 innings pitched. She struck out 125 and held her opponents to a .255 batting average. Broccolo logged five complete games, including a no-hitter against SUNY Cortland, totaled seven shutouts (5 solo, 2 combined), and recorded two saves on the year. In league play, she boasted a 0.91 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) to go along with an unblemished 9-0 mark. In 46.1 innings, she allowed 41 hits and struck out 43. A three-time Liberty League Pitcher of the Week selection this season, Broccolo leads the league in innings pitched and wins, while ranking second in strikeouts, third in ERA, and tied for third in saves. Nationally, she is second in appearances, third in starts, and 11th in wins among Division III pitchers.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Lulu Mickle, Skidmore College
Skidmore College first-year Lulu Mickle has been named the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. It is the first time since 2015 that a Thoroughbred has been recognized with the award. She finished her rookie campaign hitting .362 in 35 games to go along with 42 hits, three doubles, three triples, and two home runs, 33 runs scored, and 28 RBI. She was speedy on the base paths with 23 stolen bases on 25 attempts. The three-time Liberty League Rookie of the Week pick wrapped up the season ranked among the league’s top ten in sacrifice flies (T-1st, 4), stolen bases (5th), triples (T-4th), and runs scored (10th). Mickle started all 14 games in conference play, where she posted a .340 batting average with five extra-base hits (1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR), 14 runs scored, and 14 RBI.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: University of Rochester
The University of Rochester Softball Coaching Staff earned Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Head Coach Abby Hurley-Martin and her assistant coaches guided the Yellowjackets to a 35-8 overall record and a 13-1 mark against league opponents. Rochester earned its sixth straight Liberty League regular season title, and they were the top seed of the championship for the second straight year. They went 4-1 at the 2026 Liberty League Tournament en route to claiming the Yellowjackets’ fifth league title since 2021. As a team, Rochester boasts a potent offense, pacing the Liberty League in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.372), hits (441), runs (357), RBI (327), and on-base percentage (.448). The Yellowjackets also have a league-low ERA of 2.56 and a league-best 241 strikeouts this year. Nationally, among Division III teams, they are ranked second in total runs, fifth in scoring and home runs, sixth in slugging and hits, and 11th in batting average as Rochester makes its 12th all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament.