ROCHESTER, NY - Six members of the Utica University softball team have been named to 2025 All-Empire 8 teams, as announced by the league on Monday.
Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) has collected her first career Empire 8 nod after being named to the First Team at shortstop. Beleza led the Pioneers and ranked among the top hitters in the conference with a staggering .492 batting average, starting all 35 games. The senior shortstop racked up 60 hits in 122 at-bats, scoring 41 runs and driving in 30 RBIs. Her offensive output included nine doubles, two home runs, and 75 total bases, resulting in a .615 slugging percentage and an impressive .541 on-base percentage. Not just a threat at the plate, Beleza also proved reliable defensively, recording 60 putouts and 70 assists in the field with a .956 fielding percentage, helping anchor the infield for the Pioneers.
Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) collected her second All-Empire 8 selection after joining Beleza on the first team as a utility player. Little was a powerhouse in the Pioneers' lineup, finishing the season with a .486 batting average, second only to teammate Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College). Starting all 32 games she appeared in, Little tallied 53 hits in 109 at-bats, scoring 31 runs and driving in a team-leading 34 RBIs. She led Utica in slugging percentage (.688), racking up 13 doubles and three home runs as part of her 75 total bases. Her offensive firepower was matched by her defensive impact. Playing primarily behind the plate, Little recorded 101 putouts and 23 assists while maintaining a strong .961 fielding percentage. She also led the team in stolen bases, going a perfect 11-for-11 on the base paths. With a .517 on-base percentage and just one strikeout in 109 at-bats, Little was one of the toughest outs in the conference.
Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) has received her first career All-Empire 8 nod after being named to the second team in the outfield to cap her freshman campaign. Starting all 36 games, Paul posted a strong .333 batting average, collecting 42 hits in 126 at-bats. She scored 37 runs, the second-most on the team, while driving in 28 RBIs. Paul displayed impressive pop at the plate, leading the Pioneers with five home runs and totaling 71 bases for a .563 slugging percentage. Her speed and versatility were also on display with a team-high three triples and eight doubles. Her patience at the plate and ability to reach base consistently were key to her success, as she drew 13 walks, was hit by a pitch once, and recorded a .400 on-base percentage. Defensively, Paul added value with 54 putouts, committing just three errors for a .948 fielding percentage.
Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) has notched her second career All-Conference nod after an at-large selection on the second team as a catcher. Sacks started in 34 games this season and delivered a strong offensive year, batting .330 with 38 hits in 115 at-bats. She drove in a team-high 39 RBIs, scored 20 runs, and added three doubles and four home runs, contributing to her .461 slugging percentage. With 12 walks and a .388 on-base percentage, Sacks provided steady production in the heart of the lineup. Defensively, Sacks was one of the premier catchers in the conference. She posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 89 putouts and 9 assists, committing no errors all season. She also helped control the running game, throwing out 3 of 17 attempted base stealers and allowing just two passed balls across the entire year.
Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) has collected her third All-Empire 8 selection, being named to the third team as a pitcher. As Utica's ace, Murray posted a 10-7 record over 20 appearances and 17 starts, leading the team in innings pitched with 103.1. She tossed 12 complete games and one shutout while striking out 56 batters and limiting opponents to a .313 batting average. Her consistency and durability helped the Pioneers to a 24-12 overall record, including a strong 17-5 mark in conference play. In addition to her pitching success, Murray was a key contributor at the plate. She hit .313 over 29 games, with 26 hits in 83 at-bats, including eight doubles. She drove in 16 runs, scored 15 times, and maintained a .410 slugging percentage and a .372 on-base percentage this season.
Cassidi Mushenski (Hadley, MA/Hopkins Academy) was Utica's recipient of the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year honor. One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2025 Empire 8 Softball Sportswoman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.
