Saints Softball is proud to honor 12 student-athletes who have been named to the 2025 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete list, recognizing players with a 3.50 GPA or higher.

The twelve honorees of Sami Ernst (Forest Lake, MN./Forest Lake HS), Lauren Laviano (Maplewood, Minn./Mahtomedi HS), Samantha Paniagua (Corona, Calif./Centennial HS), Payton Lang (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS), Jadyn Lind (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS), Victoria Nelson (Lake Elmo, Minn./Mahtomedi High School), Madi Glienke (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo Sheyenne HS), Megan Bussey (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS), Aleah Shogren (Bemidji, MN/Bemidji High School), Ashley Matejka (Oak Forest, Ill./Carl Sandburg HS (Wartburg College)), Lilly Hart (Proctor, MN/Proctor High School), and Anna Azure (Brooklyn Park, MN/Osseo High School) balanced demanding academics with significant contributions on the field throughout the 2025 campaign for St. Scholastica.
 

Sami Ernst (Forest Lake, MN./Forest Lake HS) (Fr, UTL )
Ernst brought energy to the top of the lineup, posting a .264 batting average across 91 at-bats. Her 24 hits included 2 triples, and she was a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen bases, giving the Saints a speed threat in critical moments. In the outfield, she made 60 putouts and committed just 2 errors, finishing with a .970 fielding percentage.

Lauren Laviano (Maplewood, Minn./Mahtomedi HS) (Sr, C)
Laviano was a steady force behind the plate, hitting .262 with 28 hits and 3 doubles, driving in 6 RBIs. She excelled defensively with 133 putouts, 23 assists, and only 4 errors, earning a .975 fielding percentage.

Samantha Paniagua (Corona, Calif./Centennial HS) (Sr, C)
Paniagua handled the pitching staff with poise while contributing at the plate with 17 hits, 3 doubles, and 7 RBIs. Behind the dish, she logged 48 putouts and 14 assists, threw out 7 runners attempting to steal, and maintained a .954 fielding percentage. Her ability to control the running game was a defensive highlight for the Saints.

Payton Lang (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS) (Jr, UTL)
Lang's versatility and smart approach made her a valuable asset in the infield. She hit .210 with 17 hits, including 3 doubles and 1 triple, and drove in 9 RBIs. Her 17 walks led the team, fueling a .369 on-base percentage, and she also swiped 2 bases. Lang's ability to extend at-bats and get on base consistently was key to the offense.

Jadyn Lind (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS) (Sr, OF)
A veteran presence in the outfield, Lind collected 12 hits and 8 RBIs, helping produce runs in tight games. Defensively, she recorded 37 putouts with just 1 error, posting a .974 fielding percentage and bringing stability to the Saints' outfield.

Victoria Nelson (Lake Elmo, Minn./Mahtomedi High School) (Fr, INF)
Nelson was a dual threat on both sides of the ball. At the plate, she hit .289 with 22 hits, 7 extra-base hits (6 doubles, 1 triple), and 10 RBIs. On defense, she anchored the infield with 151 putouts and assists combined and a stellar .994 fielding percentage, the best among regular starters.

Madi Glienke (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo Sheyenne HS) (Fr, INF)
Glienke made an immediate impact in her first season, batting .279 with 12 hits and 4 doubles, plus 1 RBI. In the field, she was nearly perfect, recording 63 putouts and 0 assists with only 1 error for a .984 fielding percentage, showing poise beyond her years.

Megan Bussey (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS) (Jr, OF)
Bussey provided depth in the outfield and delivered 11 hits with 3 RBIs, while going a perfect 2-for-2 on stolen bases. Defensively, she contributed 21 putouts and 1 assist, showing her readiness whenever called upon.

Aleah Shogren (Bemidji, MN/Bemidji High School) (So, P)
The Saints' primary pitcher, Shogren shouldered the bulk of the innings, appearing in 27 games with 16 starts. She earned 6 wins, tossed 7 complete games, and logged 103.2 innings with 42 strikeouts. Shogren also recorded a shutout, serving as the anchor of the pitching staff.

Ashley Matejka (Oak Forest, Ill./Carl Sandburg HS (Wartburg College)) (Sr, P)
Matejka was a versatile arm for the Saints, pitching in 25 games with 13 starts. She earned 3 wins, threw 5 complete games, and covered 85.1 innings, giving the team reliable depth throughout the season.

Lilly Hart (Proctor, MN/Proctor High School) (Fr, OF)
In her first season, Hart earned three starts and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, making the most of every defensive opportunity. Her presence reflects the promising future of the Saints' roster depth.

Anna Azure (Brooklyn Park, MN/Osseo High School) (Fr, INF)
Azure contributed in 19 games, collecting 7 hits, 1 double, and 3 RBIs, while bringing versatility on the defensive side of play. Her ability to fill multiple roles provided key flexibility for the Saints throughout the year.

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