The Emory University softball team saw six players earn All-UAA honors Tuesday morning as the University Athletic Association released its end-of-season awards.
Seniors Ashley Chu and Ella Hoyle, freshman Sydney Thune and junior Ellie Zerr highlighted the Eagles with First Team honors while senior Mackenzie Duford and Lillian Ware boast Second Team selections.
Chu delivered phenomenal performances all season long in her final season for the Eagles as the senior started in all 37 games to earn her fourth career All-UAA selection as well as her third berth on the First Team. The senior batted a team-high .416 with a .907 OPS while leading the team in hits (52), runs (33) and stolen bases (11). Chu delivered 15 multi-hit games over the course of the season including 10 in UAA competition. With her stellar performance in the leadoff batting position, the fourth year became the program all-time hits leader on April 11 against UChicago, surpassing Emory Hall of Famer Megan Light with 245 hits on the season and counting.
Hoyle put forth a career-defining season in her final year as an Eagle, starting in all 37 games while leading the team in RBI (31), slugging percentage (.541) and walks (17) to earn her fourth consecutive All-UAA First Team nod. She is also tied for the most doubles (6) and hit-by-pitches (2) on the team. The senior delivered a season-high five RBI against Brandeis on March 20, going 2-3 with a home run to help the Eagles to a win against the Judges.
Thune had an incredible debut season in the Blue and Gold to earn her first All-UAA selection, leading the pitching staff as she put up a 2.75 earned run average and a 9-4 record on the year. The first year struck out a team-high 70 batters and held opponents to a .216 batting average in 16 appearances for the Eagles. In nine UAA contests, she delivered 36 strikeouts over 38.3 innings. Thune also earned UAA Athlete of the Week honors three times on the season to lead the team.
Zerr shined at the plate for the Eagles this season, earning her third consecutive All-UAA First Team nod. The junior belted a team-high four home runs as she started in all 36 games she played in this season. A dominant presence on the diamond, Zerr delivered 17 walks, six doubles, a triple and 27 RBI this season. Her best performances this season came in the Brandeis series as Zerr went 10-14 on the series with one double, a home run and seven RBI. With her phenomenal performances throughout the year, Zerr earned two UAA Athlete of the Week honors on February 23 and March 23.
Duford, the 2025 UAA Pitcher of the Year, earned her second career All-UAA selection in her final season for the Eagles, putting up a 3.17 earned run average with an 8-4 record on the season to earn second team honors. The senior racked up 54 strikeouts in 86 innings pitched as she led the team with three saves in 20 appearances. The senior spun a season-high eight strikeouts against UChicago and WashU to throw 29 total strikeouts through 37.2 innings in nine UAA contests.
Ware joins Thune as a first-time All-UAA honoree, starting in 27 of her 33 appearances for the Eagles this season. The junior recorded 24 hits on 79 at bats with 17 runs, six doubles, two home runs, nine walks and 12 RBI on the year. In UAA play, Ware went 11-32 with nine hits, six RBI, two doubles and six walks through 14 contests. Earlier in the season against Piedmont, the junior catcher became the all-time program leader in runners caught stealing with 32 and counting.
The Eagles will be making their second straight NCAA appearance under Head Coach India Chiles and begin regional action on Thursday, May 14 at 2:30 PM against Berry College in Jackson, MS.
