WESTERVILLE -- After a memorable run to the championship game of the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament, the Heidelberg University Softball team earned several postseason honors while also rewriting program records during a historic season.

Freshman standout Cara Meyer headlined the awards for the Student Princes after being named the OAC Rookie of the Year while also earning First Team All-OAC honors in the outfield.

Meyer had a record-breaking freshman campaign, breaking records during the OAC tournament when her double in the semifinal game marked her 22nd of the season, setting a new Heidelberg single season record. She surpassed former standout Marissa Smego, who previously held the mark with 21 doubles in 2016. In addition to her record-setting doubles, she finished the season with three home runs, 81 putouts, 36 runs scored, 70 hits, 39 RBIs, and an impressive .461 batting average. 

Senior Ellie Tressler also earned First Team All-OAC honors at third base after playing a key role in Heidelberg's run to the OAC championship game with consistent offense and strong defense throughout the season. Tressler finished the year with 39 runs scored, 55 hits, 41 RBIs, and a .372 batting average.

In the circle, Haley Gockstetter was named First Team All-OAC pitcher after a dominant season for The Berg. Gockstetter recorded her 19th victory of the year during the postseason, tying the Heidelberg single-season wins record previously set by Paige Atterholt in 2015. The sophomore finished the season with 83 strikeouts and now has 119 career strikeouts in just two seasons with the Student Princes. 

The Student Princes also saw freshman Adyson Bowe earn Second Team All-OAC honors at shortstop for her strong contributions in the middle infield throughout the season. Bowe finished her freshman campaign with 51 hits, 35 runs scored, 31 RBIs, 64 putouts and a .378 batting average.

The 2026 team is the first with three First Team All-OAC selections since the 2015 team, which also had three. Tressler is the seventh player in program history with three all-conference honors. Meyer is Heidelberg's third special award winner, joining Gabbie Stallbaum (Player of the Year, 2025), and Betsy Hada & Bessie Artino (Coaching Staff of the Year, 2015).

Under the direction of Mari Briggs, Heidelberg was 28-15 on the year.