SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 27, 2026) – The Western New England softball team had five student-athletes named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, as announced by the organization this week, which highlights the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in the classroom and on the field. WNE's Ava Barnhart, Shea McDaniel, Nicolina Salanto, Riley Kane, and Marley Rodriguez all earned honors this season.

To be named to the CSC Academic All-District Team for softball, a student-athlete must have attained a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in the classroom and have been at least a sophomore standing academically and athletically. Additionally, the student-athlete must have competed in 90% of the institution's games or have started in 66% of the institution's games. For pitchers, a student-athlete must have made at least 17 appearances or pitched in 35 innings. 

Sophomore Ava Barnhart earns her first selection to the CSC Academic All-District Team after playing 39 of WNE's 40 games on the year. Barnhart collected 18 hits for Western New England, with eight of those coming for extra bases, including seven doubles, a career-high, and a triple. Barnhart drove in 16 runs on the season. The Clifton Park, New York, native was perfect in the field for the Golden Bears, making all 54 plays in right field while assisting on two others. 

Senior Shea McDaniel is named to the CSC Academic All-District Team for the second time in her career. McDaniel was a mainstay for the Golden Bears in center field this season, playing in and making starts in all 40 games. Offensively, McDaniel hit .275 from the right side of the plate, coming away with 28 hits over 102 at-bats, picking up four doubles and 15 RBIs, a career-high, for the year. McDaniel drew ten walks and had an on-base percentage of .339 for the season. The Seymour, Connecticut, native made 50 total plays in the outfield, posting a .926 percentage in 2026. 

Junior Nicolina Salanto saw action in 37 games this season, making starts in 33 of those contests. Salanto was a singles machine for the second season in a row, collecting 24 hits on the year, 23 of which were singles. Salanto has 53 career hits as a Golden Bear, 49 of those coming via single. Salanto drove in 13 runs this season and drew 12 walks. In the field, the Milford, Connecticut, native led WNE with 264 total putouts and assisted on six others, fielding at a .989 clip to lead all infielders. 

Senior Riley Kane adds to her historic list of season accolades, earning CSC All-District Team honors for the first time. Kane had a career season for the Blue and Gold, contributing offensively, defensively, and in the circle. Kane played in 38 games overall for the Golden Bears, making 34 starts, including 20 as a pitcher. With the bat, Kane hit .352 for the season, collecting 37 hits over 105 at-bats, racking up 13 doubles, a triple, and a home run for the season, while adding 19 RBIs. Kane's .431 on-base percentage and .524 slugging percentage rank second overall on the team. In the circle, the Prospect, Connecticut, native was dominant, throwing to a 2.29 ERA for the season over 140.2 innings pitched, allowing 125 hits and 67 runs, including 46 earned, while walking 39 batters and striking out 85. Over her four years as a Golden Bear, Kane made 100 appearances in the circle, going 36-32, pitching 435.2 innings, striking out 226 batters, and picking up a 2.62 career ERA. Kane's 100 appearances in the circle are the second-most in program history. 

Junior Marley Rodriguez is named to the CSC Academic All-District Team for the second time in her career. Rodriguez put together another impressive season for the Golden Bears, playing in and making starts in 39 games on the year. Rodriguez totaled 132 at-bats and collected 47 hits, both team highs, including 13 doubles, a triple, and two home runs for the season. Rodriguez also led WNE Softball with 25 runs scored and 68 total bases. In the field, Rodriguez made 54 putouts and assisted on 68 others, fielding at a .938.

The Western New England softball team played to an even .500 record on the season, going 20-20, with a 12-8 mark in Conference of New England play.