INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --- The Tusculum softball team finished in the top-50 across 17 NCAA Division II statistical categories after the conclusion of the 2025 season. Additionally, six players were ranked amongst 17 lists.
The Pioneers (38-19) got off to their best start in program history with 13-straight victories. TU also began 17-0 at J.C. Red Edmonds Field. Tusculum finished in the top-25 nationally in triple plays (2nd; 1), stolen bases (5th; 137), batting average (6th; .345), hits (11th; 535), total runs (16th; 358), scoring (17th; 6.28), runs batted in (19th; 315), on base percentage (20th; .405), and slugging percentage (23rd; .492).
The Black and Orange also ranked towards the top in sacrifice flies (26th; 20), triples (28th; 18), doubles (32nd; 88), win-loss percentage (41st; .667), and sacrifice bunts (44th; 41). The stolen base and sacrifice fly totals reset the single-season program records.
Individually, four position players for the Pioneers made the national rankings.
Danielle Jason (Olyphant, Pa.) had a historic campaign, becoming the first player in program history to earn All-America and Academic All-American in a career, doing so in just a single season (2025). She was listed across the top-50 in stolen bases (4th; 48), hits (9th; 85), runs (12th; 62), batting average (17th; .452), on base percentage (35th; .510), stolen base percentage (47th; .906), and sacrifice bunts per game (49th; .21). The graduate student rewrote the TU record book, resetting the batting average, OBP, and steals career marks, as well as steals season record. She also tied for the top spot in the single-season runs category.
Brooke Smith (Acworth, Ga.) had an impressive sophomore stint. She finished ninth in hits (85), 14th in batting average (.455), 19th in runs (60), 27th in stolen base percentage (.938), 30th in OBP (.512), and 41st in steals (30). The Pioneers' second baseman earned All-American third team at-large honors for her performance. Smith currently ranks in the top-five in three career statistics in the Tusculum record book: batting average, on base percentage, and hit by pitch. Her hits are tied for second-most in a TU season (with Jason) and she ranked third in runs.
Abby Hunter (Clemmons, N.C.) tied the program record with five sacrifice flies, which ranked her 27th nationally.
Sammy Jimenez (Bartlett, Ill.) was credited with 54 runs batted in to sit 43rd nationally. The RBI total is second for a TU season and is the most driven in this millennium.
Two members of the Tusculum pitching staff were also listed among the national leaders.
Megan Ackerman (Gray, Tenn.) was seventh nationally in pitching appearances with 41. She was also ranked in games started (18th; 30), saves (20th; 4), victories (28th; 20), innings pitched (42nd; 174.0), and complete games (47th; 17). The graduate student was the first pitcher to reach the 20-win mark in 13 years.
Natalie Spaitis (Schaumburg, Ill.) finished 12th with five saves, a TU single-season record. She is also tied for the career lead with nine through her sophomore campaign.
