ROCHESTER, NY - On Wednesday afternoon, the Empire 8 Conference released its list of All-Tournament Team representatives from this past weekend's Empire 8 Softball Championships. The Pioneers received two spots on the illustrious list, with a pair of offensive juggernauts joining the ranks of the conference's elite talent.
 
Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) | SS/C | Sophomore


 
Little added to her sparkling end-of-season resume that also featured a spot on the All-Empire 8 First Team by achieving an All-Tournament selection for her incredible play this past weekend. Little lit up all opposing pitchers, sparing no team during her tournament tirade as she recorded 12 hits in only 14 at-bats. The California native was unstoppable, posting a .857 average, .800 on-base percentage, and a ridiculous 1.000 slugging percentage. While balancing time between catcher and shortstop, Little knocked in five RBIs and scored five runs, also creating chaos on the basepaths to the tune of three stolen bases.
 
Little tore through opposing defenses all season, posting a total average of .486 in addition to 34 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Sporting an OPS of 1.205, she was among the conference's best batters in nearly every category, an incredible feat in just her sophomore season. Her 53 hits were only surpassed by one other player in the Pioneer lineup…
 
Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) | SS | Senior


 
Beleza completed the conference's most powerful one-two punch alongside Little during the Empire 8 Tournament. The senior shortstop gathered nine hits in 13 at-bats, notching seven RBIs while posting a .692 average. The team's leadoff hitter also racked up six runs scored, showcasing her speed. In addition, Beleza brought big power to the lineup, grabbing a pair of home runs during an elimination game against SUNY Poly. Beleza also bolstered her tournament resume by producing unfathomable results with runners in scoring position, attaining an otherworldly slugging percentage of 1.231.
 
On the season as a whole, Beleza fit the leadoff role to a T, achieving a team-high .492 average and 60 hits which also surpassed all other Pioneer bats. Beleza also knocked in 30 RBIs, grabbing a .615 slugging percentage. The veteran shortstop joined Little among the conference's elite by receiving an All-Empire 8 First Team nod.
 
The Pioneers finished the 2024-2025 season with a 24-12 record, advancing all the way to the penultimate round of the Empire 8 Tournament to take home third place. The team will bid farewell to a storied group of seniors, but will have lots to look forward to with an excellent array of underclassmen.