SB | Ferguson, Lane and Zabat Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors
5/26/2026 10:51:00 AM | Softball
GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Saint Mary's softball team has become widely recognized for its prowess on the diamond, but has also put up yet another strong showing in the classroom as well this year, with three student-athletes, Hannah Ferguson, Taylor Lane and Mia Zabat, earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors.
The Academic All-District Softball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. In order to qualify, student-athletes must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, be at least of sophomore standing both academically and athletically, and have appeared in 90% of the team's games and/or stared 66% of the team's game (position player) or pitched in at least 35 innings or appeared in at least 17 games (pitcher).
Redshirt junior outfielder Hannah Ferguson had a prolific season returning from injury, leading the Gaels with a .422 batting average and tying the program single season record with 79 hits, while breaking the single season runs record, scoring 50 times. The San Diego native appeared in 56 of 58 games, starting 53. Ferguson accomplished all of this while maintaining a 3.64 GPA as a kinesiology major.
Fifth year senior Taylor Lane continued to hold down the fort for the Gaels as the everyday first baseman, appearing in 51 of 58 games, starting 42. Providing excellent pop in the lineup, the Huntington Beach native logged eight doubles, four home runs and 26 RBI, including the go-ahead two run blast that secured the Gaels their third straight WCC title with a win against LMU. A graduate student, Lane holds a 4.0 GPA in her education master's program.
Sophomore Mia Zabat earned CSC Academic All-District honors in her first year eligible for the award. The sure-handed shortstop out of Fairfield appeared in 53 of 58 games and started 49. Finding a key role as the Gaels nine-hole hitter, Zabat improved her batting average nearly 80 points from .219 to .298 from freshman to sophomore season. Zabat continued to perform in the classroom as well, maintaining a 3.7 GPA as a business administration major.
#GaelsRise
The Academic All-District Softball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. In order to qualify, student-athletes must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, be at least of sophomore standing both academically and athletically, and have appeared in 90% of the team's games and/or stared 66% of the team's game (position player) or pitched in at least 35 innings or appeared in at least 17 games (pitcher).
Redshirt junior outfielder Hannah Ferguson had a prolific season returning from injury, leading the Gaels with a .422 batting average and tying the program single season record with 79 hits, while breaking the single season runs record, scoring 50 times. The San Diego native appeared in 56 of 58 games, starting 53. Ferguson accomplished all of this while maintaining a 3.64 GPA as a kinesiology major.
Fifth year senior Taylor Lane continued to hold down the fort for the Gaels as the everyday first baseman, appearing in 51 of 58 games, starting 42. Providing excellent pop in the lineup, the Huntington Beach native logged eight doubles, four home runs and 26 RBI, including the go-ahead two run blast that secured the Gaels their third straight WCC title with a win against LMU. A graduate student, Lane holds a 4.0 GPA in her education master's program.
Sophomore Mia Zabat earned CSC Academic All-District honors in her first year eligible for the award. The sure-handed shortstop out of Fairfield appeared in 53 of 58 games and started 49. Finding a key role as the Gaels nine-hole hitter, Zabat improved her batting average nearly 80 points from .219 to .298 from freshman to sophomore season. Zabat continued to perform in the classroom as well, maintaining a 3.7 GPA as a business administration major.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
SB | NCAA Regional Recap
Saturday, May 23
SB | Postgame Press Conference, Eugene Regional Game Four, 5-17-26
Sunday, May 17
SB | Saint Mary's vs. Idaho State & Oregon Highlights, 5-16-26
Sunday, May 17
SB | Saint Mary's vs. Mississippi State Highlights, 5-115-26
Sunday, May 17
