St. Bonifacius, MN – Lilienthal and Romportl Cap Off Collegiate Careers with UMAC Awards
Maria Lilienthal earned UMAC First Team All-Conference honors for the fourth time in her career (2022, 2023, 2025, and 2026). In 2023, she was named Player of the Year and has broken numerous program records throughout her career. She currently holds seven career records: batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, hits, doubles, RBIs, and total bases. She also owns four single-season records (on-base percentage, hits, doubles, and RBIs) and four single-game records (at-bats, RBIs, doubles, and hit-by-pitches). This season, Lilienthal batted .495 with 54 hits, 17 doubles, three home runs, and 58 RBIs while posting a .587 on-base percentage. Her bat was a staple in the middle of the Polars lineup, consistently driving in runs. Additionally, Lilienthal was named NCCAA First Team All-Region.
Emmy Romportl earned UMAC Honorable Mention All-Conference honors, marking her third straight year earning a spot on an All-Conference team. Romportl took on a new defensive role at second base this season when she was not pitching for the Polars. She served as the team's lead-off hitter throughout the year and holds the career record for runs scored. She wraps up her Polars career with 370 innings pitched and 201 strikeouts.
Catelyn Garza earned All-Sportsmanship honors for the Polars. The senior shortstop finishes her career holding program records for hit-by-pitches and assists. A steady and trustworthy presence in the field, Garza posted a .529 on-base percentage this season.
Fellow senior Itzel Valles took on full catching responsibilities this year after a season-ending injury to Katie Vaughn. The cleanup hitter batted .364 with 13 doubles and 38 RBIs. Valles was also selected to the NCCAA First Team All-Region.
As a team, the Polars set a program record with 21 wins this season. Previously, the win record was 18 in back in 2018. The offense hit .342, scored 307 runs, and totaled 13 home runs on the year.
Freshmen Brooklyn Riley, Lindsey Stapleton, and Megan Cryer also played major roles in the success of the young team. Riley pitched 93.1 innings for the Polars, posting a sub-6.00 ERA with 68 strikeouts and a 10-4 record. Stapleton and Cryer both provided consistent power at the plate throughout the season. Stapleton's impressive freshman campaign included six home runs and 29 RBIs while playing every position in the infield. Cryer split time between the circle, first base, and her usual designated player role, adding two home runs and 21 RBIs at the plate.
Crown softball will look to build on its recent success next season behind a young returning roster and a talented incoming class.
