Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) and Mike Rockwell (Liverpool, NY/Cicero) have been named the Pioneer Athletes of the Week for the week of April 20th, 2026.

Rockwell was all over the scorebook during the Pioneers' five contests this week, leading the way as the team posted a 4-1 record. Rockwell was nearly unstoppable, grabbing 10 hits in his 22 at-bats to post a .455 average. He also brought big power, launching three doubles and a home run. Along with providing opportunities on the basepaths, Rockwell also logged more RBIs than hits, plating 11 runners in the five-game stretch. Rockwell would finish his spectacular week with a .480 on-base percentage and a .727 slugging percentage, also scoring six runs. His run of dominance allowed the Pioneers to grab three Empire 8 wins in four conference games this week.

Rockwell and the Pioneers will hit the road this week for contests against Keuka and Oswego, before returning home for their final scheduled game at Pioneer Field this Sunday against Elmira. 

Paul put together a dominant offensive week, leading the Pioneers in multiple categories while powering Utica to a 2-2 record with a doubleheader sweep to close the stretch. Over four games, Paul batted .417 (5-for-12) with five runs scored, 10 RBIs, and four extra-base hits, including two home runs, a double, and a triple, good for a team-best 1.167 slugging percentage and .500 on-base percentage. She also added three stolen bases. Paul delivered in key moments throughout the week, anchoring the top of the lineup during Utica's offensive surge that produced 39 total runs. Paul was especially impactful in the Pioneers' sweep of Houghton, where the offense erupted for 32 runs across the doubleheader, with Paul mashing her first career grand slam, to cap a 14-1 win over Houghton in the team's first game of the doubleheader.  

Paul and the Pioneers have a busy slate this week, voyaging to Keuka on Tuesday, Hartwick on Wednesday, while hosting Nazareth on Friday and Fisher on Saturday.