ROCHESTER, NY - Three members of the Utica University softball team have received 2026 Empire 8 All-Conference honors, as announced by the league on Tuesday.
Mya Strong (Hudson Falls, NY/Hudson Falls) has received her first Empire 8 All-Conference selection after being named to the second team in the outfield. As a freshman, Strong played in all 37 games for the Pioneers in right field, registering a team high 127 at bats. Strong quickly became one of the heaviest hitters in the conference, posting a .370 average, a .598 slugging percentage, and a .431 on-base percentage, ranking on the conference leaderboard in each category. Strong also completed her freshman campaign with a total of 47 hits, with 18 accounting for extra bases, all while leading the Empire 8 in triples with nine on the season, setting a new single season record.
Kari Graziano (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane) has also received her first All-Empire 8 nod after being named to the second team as a utility player. Graziano appeared in 32 games this season, contributing to the lineup from the designated player slot or in the circle. As a hitter, Graziano posted a team leading .397 average at the plate this season, finishing in 10th on the conference leaderboard. The freshman accumulated 31 total hits this season, accounting for 12 extra base hits, with a team leading 11 doubles, a mark that ranked eighth on the conference leaderboard. In the circle, Graziano appeared in 21 games, pitching a total of 72.2 innings in her inaugural campaign, posting the ninth most wins in the conference this season with an 8-4 overall record. Posting a 5.30 ERA this season, Graziano posted one of the lowest allowed batting averages in the conference at .269, while striking out 41 batters, including catching 13 looking, a mark that ranked inside the top 15 in the conference.
Ava Hayes (Sauquoit, NY/Notre Dame) has been named Utica's recipient of the Empire 8 Tomorrow's Leaders award. One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2026 Softball Tomorrow's Leaders Team. This team honors a student-athlete who has emerged as a leader not only on the field of play, but in the classroom and in the community. In addition, they "compete with honor and integrity" and have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.
