ALFRED, NY – The Softball All-Empire 8 Honors was released on Monday afternoon, highlighted by four major awards and a total of 10 Alfred University softball players finding places in the listings.

"I am so proud of our girls for the season they had," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "Although it didn't end the way we wanted it to, they handled business all year, worked hard and never complained. I am super excited that they were recognized by the conference for what they accomplished. Congratulations to the coaches that always had my back, gave countless hours to the program and were rock stars from day one. This is for them and about them! I am very proud of not only our recognized players, but all 18 players on this roster. Without them, none of this is possible! 
 
Empire 8 Pitcher of the Year:
 
Arden Hatch (Orangevale, CA/St. Francis) was named the Empire 8 Pitcher of the Year, becoming the second Saxon in school history to earn the accolade, joining Jessica Wilcox '21. Hatch led the conference with a .209 opposing batting average while striking out 123 batters. She ended the season with a career-best 13-4 overall record while maintaining a 2.66 ERA. Hatch put together no-hitter performances against both Fredonia and Russell Sage during the spring season. She ended her collegiate career with 329 career strikeouts, which ranks third in program history. Hatch additionally received All-Empire 8 First Team honors.
 
Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Year:
 
Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills) was named as the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Year. Lugo was one of two Saxons to start all 40 games during the 2023 season. She finished the season with a .949 fielding percentage across 137 chances at shortstop. In Empire 8 competition, Lugo only surrendered one error.
 
Lugo additionally received All-Empire 8 Second Team honors. She had a remarkable season that included clinching the all-time hits record with Alfred University. Lugo finished the season with a .354 batting average that included 46 hits, 12 of which were doubles. She was responsible 40 runs, the third-highest total in the Empire 8. On the basepaths, Lugo finished second in the conference with 27 stolen bases. She now ranks seventh all-time in NCAA Division III history with 164 career stolen bases.
 
Empire 8 Rookie of the Year:
 
Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) became the third Saxon in a row and fourth in school history to be named the Rookie of the Year, joining Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) and Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) in the streak. Remm was fourth in the Empire 8 with a .411 batting average, totaling 58 hits and a conference-high 44 RBI. The 58 hits for Remm are the fourth-highest total in a single season in program history for Alfred University, while her 44 RBI ties for the third-highest mark. She was responsible for 13 doubles, two triples, and two home runs this spring for the Saxons. In the outfield, Remm put together a .967 fielding percentage that included 55 putouts. She additionally received All-Empire 8 First Team recognition.
 
Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year:
 
The Alfred University coaching staff, led by Luke Wesneski earned Coaching Staff of the Year. Coach Wesneski was joined by Cassie Reed, Sarah Ramirez, Brandon Harrison and student manager, Kirsti Lugo along with athletic trainer, Marley Signorelli. The Saxons finished with a 25-14-1 overall record, along with a 14-2 conference record. For the second consecutive season, Alfred University earned the right to host the Empire 8 Championship Tournament.
 
All-Empire 8 First Team:
 
Wells was one of five Saxons to be honored with All-Empire 8 First Team recognition. Wells had a historical junior season with AU, finishing seventh in the conference with a .389 batting average. She additionally ranked third in the Empire 8 with a .641 slugging percentage that included a conference-high seven home runs. Wells ranked second in the Empire 8 with 42 runs scored and 42 RBI, while finishing third with 51 hits. Following the spring season, Wells ranks ninth in program history with 139 career hits while posting a .370 career batting average.  
 
Allison O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) earned All-Empire 8 honors for the third straight season with Alfred University. O'Toole had a remarkable graduate season with the Saxons, starting in all 40 games and finishing 11^th in the Empire 8 with a .361 batting average. O'Toole totaled a career-high 43 hits, eighth in the conference. She ended her collegiate career with 134 career hits, which marks 10^th in program history.  
 
Abigail Gatza (Burlington, ON, Canada/Assumption Catholic) had a successful first season with AU. She finished the spring season with a .318 batting average and was ninth in the conference with a .568 slugging percentage. Gatza had 28 hits on the season and was second on the team with five home runs.
 
All-Empire 8 Second Team:
 
Isabella Orozco (Burbank, CA/Village Christian) was one of three Saxons to be named to the All-Empire 8 Second Team. In her second season with Alfred University, Orozco put together a .347 batting average. The career-high marks for Orozco include 25 hits, four doubles, and 10 RBI. Behind the plate, she finished fourth in the Empire 8 with a .993 fielding percentage that included 134 putouts and 11 assists.
 
Isabella Carrillo (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham Community Charter) put together a breakout senior season with the Saxons, finishing third in the Empire 8 with a .412 batting average and .500 on-base percentage. She was also successful on the basepaths, ending the season third in the conference with 20 stolen bases. Carrillo scored 32 runs, which was sixth in the Empire 8. She had a variety of career-high marks during the spring season, including 35 hits, two triples, and 10 RBI.
 
All-Empire 8 Third Team:
 
Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) enjoyed a successful junior season in the circle for AU, putting together a career-high eight wins to go with a 3.30 ERA. Bennett additionally recorded a team-high two saves for the Saxons in outings against Buffalo State and Fredonia. She finished the season second on the team with 82 strikeouts across 91.1 innings pitched.
 
Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year:
 
Raygan Ashmore (Taft, CA/Taft Union) was selected as Alfred University's representative for the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year.
 
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. Ashmore has distinguished herself, consistently exhibiting the critical traits as an outstanding sportswoman.