LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East released its 2025 softball all-conference awards on Tuesday and Gallaudet University junior
Lacey Drolsbaugh (Lansdale, Pa.) and senior
Caitlyn Smith (Indianapolis, Ind.) were named to the first team. Drolsbaugh was selected as an at-large outfielder and Smith was selected as Designated Player (DP).
This is Smith's second appearance on the United East All-Conference team as she was selected to the second team as an infielder in 2023 while Drolsbaugh makes her first all-conference team.
Drolsbaugh was ranked nationally among NCAA Division III softball players in several categories and sits in the Top 10 in the United East for eight different categories. The 2024 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region Third Team honoree is Gallaudet's top player in the field, in the circle and at the plate. She is tied for first in NCAA Division III for stolen base percentage (1.000) and ranks 19th in triples per game (0.19) and 24th in triples (six). In the conference, she ranks third in slugging percentage (.736), fourth in home runs (four), fifth in triples, batters struck out (100) and on base + slugging percentage (1.231). She led the Bison in 12 different team categories this season. Off the field, Drolsbaugh excels in academics earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors last season and picked up a 2023 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honor.
Smith is one of Gallaudet's top batters and ranks nationally at 101st for triples (four) in NCAA Division III. In the conference, Smith is 13th in triples (four), 14th in slugging percentage (.597) and 17th in on base + slugging percentage (1.014). Smith led the Bison in doubles (seven) and was second in batting average (.373), triples, on base + slugging percentage, slugging percentage, total bases (40) and chances (110). She ranks third on the team in hits (25), on base percentage (.417) and putouts (87).
Saint Elizabeth University first baseman Josilynn Garcia was named the Player of the Year while Penn College's Mackenzie Weaver won a second Pitcher of the Year award (2023, '25). Penn State Brandywine outfielder Emma McElroy was selected as the Rookie of the Year. Penn State Berks' Donna Ference was selected by her fellow peers as the Coach of the Year after the Nittany Lions went a perfect 16-0 in conference play and earned the No. 1 seed in the United East tournament.
GU HONORS
The Bison have 22 all-conference honors (nine first team, 12 second team, one third team) since joining the conference in 2010-11 to go with two Rookie of the Year awards and one Coach of the Year honor.
2025:
Lacey Drolsbaugh (First Team)
2025:
Caitlyn Smith (First Team)
2024:
Christina Elsbury (Volt Division: Second Team)
2023:
Justen Burns (COY)
2023:
Christina Elsbury (Second Team)
2023:
Caitlyn Smith (Second Team)
2019: Hannah Neild (Second Team)
2019: Jacklyn Zacarias (Third Team)
2018: Hannah Neild (First Team & ROY)
2017: Alyssa Barlow (South Division: First Team)
2017: Courtney Thomas (South Division: Second Team)
2016: Kelsey Hudson (South Division: First Team)
2015: Alyssa Barlow (South Division: Second Team)
2014: Chelsea Lee (South Division: First Team)
2013:
Alicia Johnson (South Division: First Team)
2012:
Alicia Johnson (South Division: First Team)
2012: Easter Fa'afiti (South Division: Second Team & ROY)
2012: Rachel Sweigart (South Division: Second Team)
2011: Nicole O'Malley (South Division: First Team)
2011: Alicia Balzer (South Division: Second Team)
2011: Michelin Barron (South Division: Second Team)
2011: Jessica Buckwalter (South Division: Second Team)
2011:
Alicia Johnson (South Division: Second Team)
Also see:
NCAA Rankings as of 5/11/25, United East and Team Rankings as of 5/13/25
