Four Fighting Hawks Win All-Summit Softball Honors

Livesay was a menace in the circle all season, owning a 13-10 record with a 2.79 ERA across 28 appearances, 22 starts and 140.1 innings. The junior tallied 15 complete games and six complete game shutouts, holding opponents to a .222 batting average overall with 105 strikeouts.

The Newton, Kan. native ranked top-five in the conference in complete games (T-1st), wins (T-3rd), innings pitched (4th), strikeouts (4th), BAA (2nd), saves (T-2nd) and ERA (3rd). She threw at least five innings in 18 different games, posting 11 quality starts on the season (at least six innings and three earned runs allowed or less).

The pitcher chucked a no-hitter against North Dakota State on April 26 and followed that up a week later with a 13.1 inning, 207 pitch performance on May. 1 at St. Thomas. It was the fourth most innings thrown by any pitcher in Division l this season. She recorded at least five strikeouts in 10 separate outings.

Valdez bursted onto the scene in 2026, leading the Fighting Hawks with a .349 batting average, along with three home runs, 18 RBIs, 23 runs, 44 hits, 14 doubles and a .955 OPS across 46 games and 126 at-bats.

The Arroyo Grande, Calif. native led the Summit League in batting average among freshmen, while ranking second overall in hit-by-pitches (10). Valdez totaled 14 multi-hit games this season, posting three 3-hit outings. The freshman went 2-for-4 with a double in her second career start on Feb. 14 against Baylor.

The outfielder had a six-game hitting streak from March 25 – April 11, while recording two hits in three of the final five games of the season. Valdez hit .400 on the year with runners in scoring position (16-for-40).

Hopfauf was steady all year for UND, recording five home runs, 30 RBIs, 24 runs, 12 walks, 46 hits and six doubles, with a .274 batting average across 52 games and 168 at-bats. She was tied for team-lead in home runs and led the squad in RBIs.

The senior compiled 11 multi-hit performances and four 3-hit games. She hit two home runs on March 7, 2026, driving in four RBIs on the day. Hopfauf had six games this season with at least two RBIs, headlined by a career-high six runs batted in on April 20 against South Dakota.

The catcher has played in 207 career games for the Fighting Hawks, the most by any player in program history. Hopfauf hit .339 on the season with runners in scoring position (19-for-56).

Alexander thrived for UND in 2026, hitting .271 with five home runs, 29 RBIs, 26 runs, 14 walks, 11 doubles and 42 hits across 52 games and 155 at-bats. She took a leap in every statistical category.

The West Fargo, N.D. native had 10 multi-hit games and one three-hit performance. She went 3-for-3 with five RBIs and a grand slam on April 14 vs. Crown College. She drove in two or more RBIs in seven different contests on the year, bringing home three or more RBIs in four of those games.

The sophomore was tied for the team lead in home runs, blasting two nukes on Feb. 28 against Saint Francis. The rest of her home runs came at home.  Alexander had two runs in seven different contests.

The full list of All-Summit League awards can be found below.

2026 All-Summit League Softball Teams and Individual Awards
Player of the Year: Ella Cook, St. Thomas
Pitcher of the Year: Maddia Groff, Omaha
Defensive Player of the Year: Marra Cramer, Omaha
Freshman of the Year: Bria Riebel, South Dakota State
Coach of the Year: Mike Heard, OmahaFirst Team
P – Maddia Groff, Omaha
P – Tegan Livesay, North Dakota
P – Alexis Wiggins, Omaha
C – Jessica Delatorre, North Dakota State
INF – Laken Lienhard, St. Thomas
INF – Bella Dean, North Dakota State
INF – Taylor Sedlacek, Omaha
INF – Bailey Sample, Omaha
INF – Abby Gentry, South Dakota State
OF – Avery Wukawitz, St. Thomas
OF – Marra Cramer, Omaha
OF – Star Cortez, North Dakota State
OF – Sammy Schmidt, Omaha
DP/UTL – Ella Cook, St. Thomas