AKRON, Ohio — On Saturday, the Akron Zips (34–23) secured a 3–1 victory over Western Michigan (29–26) in a neutral-site matchup. The Zips broke a scoreless tie with a two-run fourth inning, bolstered by a home run from Lily Sullivan. Pitcher Madie Jamrog held the Broncos to four hits over seven innings, allowing only one run in the final inning. With the win, Akron secures its first-ever MAC Softball Tournament title and punches its ticket to the 2026 NCAA Softball Regionals.

Katie Cantrell emerged as a standout performer for Akron, delivering a strong offensive performance with a home run and two RBIs. Delaney Jenkinson also made an impact at the plate, recording an RBI and securing a hit. In the circle, Jamrog played a crucial role, pitching a complete game with seven innings of work. She allowed only four hits and zero earned runs, striking out two batters to secure a win with an 18–6 record on the season. Her exceptional performance throughout the tournament earned her the 2026 MAC Softball Tournament MVP honors.

On the Western Michigan squad, Hannah Potts stood out in her recent performance, completing a full game on the mound. Over six innings, she recorded six strikeouts while allowing three earned runs on five hits. In the lineup, Caitlin Tighe made an impact by scoring a run and securing a hit. Analeez Niles contributed with an RBI, also adding a hit to her tally. Bella Duncan was also notable, managing to get on base with a hit during her appearance. These athletes have shown key contributions in their respective areas, marking them as pivotal players for the team.

Akron now awaits its destination for NCAA Regionals from the 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament Selection show, which airs on Sunday, May 10 at 7PM ET live on ESPN2.

2026 MAC Softball All-Tournament Team
Katie Cantrell, Akron
Haley Glass, Akron
Madie Jamrog, Akron – MVP
Meagan Lee, Akron
London Williams, Central Michigan
Colleen Bare, Ohio
Belle Hummel, Ohio
Izzie Wilson, Ohio
Bella Duncan, Western Michigan
Caitlin Tighe, Western Michigan