Junior pitcher Madelayne Ruffner from Shepherd University has earned third team honors on the 2026 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Team. With a GPA of 3.78 and a major in elementary education, she becomes one of only two players from her university to receive this accolade. Ruffner's impressive season included a 15-8 record with a 1.28 ERA and a striking 292 strikeouts over 164.2 innings. Additionally, she was recognized as a 2026 D2CCA and NFCA All-American, leading NCAA II in several key pitching categories.

By the Numbers
  • Madaylene Ruffner achieved a 3.78 GPA as an elementary education major.
  • She had 292 strikeouts with a 13.86 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 164.2 innings pitched.
State of Play
  • Ruffner is part of a distinguished group, being one of only two Shepherd softball players to earn Academic All-American honors.
  • She ranked first in NCAA II for strikeouts per seven innings at 12.4 and in WHIP at 0.71.
What's Next

Ruffner's continued success may bolster her prospects for future academic and athletic accolades, potentially leading to further recognition and opportunities in both her academic and collegiate softball career.

Bottom Line

Madaylene Ruffner's recognition as an Academic All-American showcases her exceptional performance both in the classroom and on the softball field, marking her as a noteworthy athlete for Shepherd University and setting a standard for future student-athletes.