BROCKPORT, NY — The Empire 8 Conference formally announced its 2026 Softball All-Tournament Team on Monday, May 11, honoring the top individual performances from the postseason. Following a historic tournament run, SUNY Brockport student-athlete Liana DeValder was recognized for her standout contributions as a dual-threat force in the circle and at the plate.

The Golden Eagles' postseason journey was highlighted by a dominant 11–3 victory over Elmira College in the opening round, marking the program's first-ever Empire 8 postseason win. Despite hard-fought battles against St. John Fisher and Russell Sage, DeValder's performance remained a centerpiece of the team's success.

DeValder's tournament performance was headlined by her effort in the victory over Elmira. She earned the win while striking out a career-high 12 batters and eclipsing the 100-strikeout milestone for the season. At the plate, she added two hits and two RBIs, including a key RBI double.

She continued her high-level play on the tournament's first official day against St. John Fisher. In a pitchers' duel that went into extra innings, DeValder threw 7.2 innings, allowing only two runs on six hits while striking out eight. She also led the offense in that contest, going 2-for-3 at the plate.

DeValder wrapped up her tournament performance against Russell Sage, contributing another hit and an RBI. Throughout the three-game stretch, she maintained a high level of consistency, anchoring the Golden Eagles' rotation while remaining one of the team's most reliable offensive threats.

Following a season where the team finished with 18 wins and secured a milestone postseason victory, the Golden Eagles look to build off this momentum as they prepare for the 2027 campaign.