PRESQUE ISLE, ME
Three UMPI Athletes were recognized for their outstanding 2026 seasons when the North Atlantic Conference released the 2026 All-Conference Awards. Gracelyn Walsh took home first team, while Zoe Stewart and Garrett Chadwick were recognized with second-team honors. All three athletes are seniors, earning their flowers, and ending their careers on very high notes.
Gracelyn Walsh
Gracelyn Walsh had one of the greatest seasons ever of any UMPI Softball player. She led the league in a plethora of overall offensive categories. She was 1st in Batting Average (.554), 1st in Hits (62), 1st in Runs Batted In (50), 1st in Home Runs (9), 1st in Slugging Percentage (.991), 1st in On Base Percentage (.592), 1st in On Base Plus Slugging (1.583), and Tied for 1st in Doubles (18). Walsh was consistent and dominant all season long, hitting safely in 35 out of 40 games, ending the year on a 30-game hitting streak that dated back to the Owls' spring trip.
In the circle, Walsh was UMPI's ace, winning seven games, while posting an Earned Run Average of 4.05. She tossed two five-inning no hitters on the year as well. In the field, she was equally impressive. She finished with a .992 fielding percentage, making just one error on 123 total chances.
At the North Atlantic Conference Tournament, Walsh was even more of a stud, hitting 8-11 (.792), with three doubles, two home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored. She pitched 17 innings at the tournament, allowing four earned runs, and pitched the Owls to their first playoff win since 2019, going all nine innings of an extra-innings affair, allowing just one earned run.
Needless to say, it will be tough for anyone to ever top what Walsh accomplished this season for UMPI. Dominating the NAC and leading the Owls to a 16 win season, just one year after a two-win year. She will retire with 143 hits, an outstanding clip, that stands above everyone else in recent UMPI history.
Zoe Stewart
Zoe Stewart played an enormous role in UMPI Softball's success this year, improving more on her already impressive junior year. She batted .409 with 47 hits, 29 RBI, and 8 home runs, for a slugging percentage of .765. Stewart had big hit, after big hit for the Owls, and was the ultimate table setter in the two-spot of the order for Walsh who batted third. Stewart finished the year with a 1.258 OPS and 13 doubles to go with two triples. In the field, she was a stellar utility player, mostly playing third and first base, while boasting a .969 fielding percentage, making just five errors on 159 total chances. Stewart also joined the 100 hit club this year, finishing her career with 115 knocks, and 14 home runs.
Garrett Chadwick
Garrett Chadwick returned for his senior year, after earning first-team all-conference honors his junior year. Chadwick came back as the Owls' ace on the mound and did not disappoint. He threw 57.2 innings on the year, the most of any Owl by far, winning three games in dominant fashion. His first win was a complete game conference win on opening night, tossing seven innings, allowing 6 hits and no earned runs. His next win, defined his entire career, going 10 innings, allowing five earned runs in the Owls' dramatic comeback win over Thomas College. In what became his final career victory, Chadwick dealt in a dominant three-hit shutout over UMF. Chadwick finished the season, tied for second in all of Division III in complete games with six on the year, only exiting two of his starts.
Sportsmanship Awards
Keira Greene and Ian Michaud earned sportsmanship nods from the conference for their excellent character and team-first mentalities that represent much more than sufficiently.
