Bruin Softball lands five on CSC Academic All-District squad

GREENWOOD, Ind. -- The College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced their 2025 Academic All-District Softball Teams on Monday, with five Bellevue University student-athletes recognized for their outstanding achievements in both the classroom and on the field.

Representing the Bruins on this year's Academic All-District team are sophomore first baseman Breanne McMurtry (Bellevue, Neb.), sophomore pitcher/outfielder Mariah Unverzagt (Papillion, Neb.), senior pitcher Katie Cunningham (Bellevue, Neb.), senior catcher Alexa Sidel (Papillion, Neb.), and junior third baseman Savannah Short (Fort Osage, Mo.).

Student-athletes from NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, as well as the NAIA, were honored with the award, which recognizes individuals who meet high standards of academic and athletic performance.

McMurtry earned first-team all-NSAA honors and was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete following a breakout sophomore season. She led the conference with 11 home runs and ranked third on the team with a .338 batting average. She added 50 hits, 34 RBIs, and 11 doubles, while posting a .649 slugging percentage and .429 on-base percentage. A staple at first base, McMurtry started all 50 games and recorded a .986 fielding percentage with 331 putouts and 12 assists. One of her season highlights came on April 16, when she hit a grand slam against Peru State—part of a rare game in which she and her sister, Liana McMurtry, both went deep with the bases loaded.

Unverzagt was named the NSAA Newcomer of the Year, a first-team all-conference selection, and earned NSAA Pitcher of the Week honors on April 21. She led the conference with a 2.21 ERA and compiled a 9-2 record in 21 appearances, allowing opponents to hit just .257 across 66.2 innings. She struck out 35 batters while walking only 13. At the plate, she hit .318 with 49 hits, 10 doubles, two home runs, 25 RBIs, and 33 runs scored. She posted a .422 slugging percentage and a .361 on-base mark. Unverzagt's versatility was on full display in BU's May 1 win over Dakota State at the NSAA Tournament, when she went 3-for-5 at the plate and pitched four scoreless, hitless innings in relief.

Cunningham concluded her career with a historic season, earning NSAA Co-Player of the Year, first-team all-NSAA honors for the fourth time, first-team NFCA all-Region III accolades, and being named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. She led the team with 145.2 innings pitched and ranked among the league's top two in wins (13), ERA (2.64), strikeouts (123), and saves (4). Offensively, she batted .381 with 39 RBIs, six home runs, and 12 doubles. Her .574 slugging percentage and .441 on-base percentage were both among the team leaders. Defensively, she notched a .935 fielding percentage. Cunningham also tied the program record with 10 career saves. In an April 25 win at Dakota State, she went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run.

Sidel was recognized for her defensive prowess as a member of the NSAA Gold Glove Team and also earned Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete distinction. She started all 49 games, splitting time between catcher and the outfield. She batted .281 with 32 hits, four home runs, 23 RBIs, and 20 runs scored. She added five doubles and two triples, posted a .388 on-base percentage, and slugged .465. She also stole nine bases and recorded a .974 fielding percentage with 172 putouts and 13 assists. On April 25, she went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and three RBIs in a 10-2 victory over Dakota State.

Short started all 50 games at third base and turned in a steady junior season. She batted .252 with 37 hits, eight doubles, one triple, and one home run. She drove in 23 runs and scored 14, while compiling a .329 on-base percentage and .340 slugging percentage. Defensively, she recorded a .947 fielding percentage with 97 assists and 28 putouts. Short delivered a standout effort on April 25 against Dickinson State, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

To be eligible for Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. Nominees must have participated in at least 90% of their team's games or started in at least two-thirds of them. Additionally, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) is required. Graduate students must meet the GPA threshold for both undergraduate and graduate coursework.

All five Bruins are now eligible for CSC Academic All-American honors, which will be announced on Tuesday, June 17.

Bellevue posted a 29-21 overall record during the 2025 season, finishing third in the North Star Athletic Association regular-season standings.