BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For the second consecutive season, Boston University senior pitcher Kasey Ricard was named the 2026 Patriot League Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the League office announced Wednesday. Ricard was one of 13 student-athletes selected to the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
All seven institutions were represented on the Academic All-League Team, with Boston University leading the way with four selections. Army West Point, Bucknell and Lehigh each had two selections, while Colgate, Holy Cross and Lafayette each had one apiece.
Boston University senior infielder Megan Coyle and Holy Cross senior infielder Ali Sniegocki joined Ricard as three-time Academic All-Patriot League selections. Bucknell senior outfielder Haley Speicher, Army West Point senior pitcher Katelyn Flanders and Lehigh senior infielder Peyton Sward were named to the team for the second time.
To be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and the Academic All-Patriot League Team, student-athletes must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average and be a starter or key contributor. Freshmen or first-year students are not eligible.
Each sport’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year comprises the pool of nominees for the Patriot League Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards, which will be announced this summer.
The selection process was conducted by the League's softball sports information directors, who were not allowed to not vote for their student-athletes.
2026 Patriot League Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Kasey Ricard, Boston University, Sr., P, Littleton, Mass./Littleton
*Ricard holds a 3.91 GPA in Health Science at Boston University and is a multi-time Academic All-Patriot League, NFCA Scholar-Athlete and CSC Academic All-District honoree.
*The senior was named 2026 Patriot League Pitcher of the Year after going 30-6 with a 2.81 ERA, leading the nation in wins, shutouts, starts and innings pitched.
*Ricard is a three-time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year and four-time All-Patriot League First Team selection, earning 2024 D1Softball Second Team All-American honors.
*She finished her career with Patriot League records in wins (104) and shutouts (42), along with a program-record six no-hitters and 21 Pitcher of the Week awards.
Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Kasey Ricard, Boston University
2026 Patriot League Academic All-League Team
Breanna Coonfare, Army West Point
Katelyn Flanders, Army West Point
Megan Coyle, Boston University
Kylie Doherty, Boston University
Haley Ganino, Boston University
Kasey Ricard, Boston University
Brooke Popella, Bucknell
Haley Speicher, Bucknell
Lily Haluska, Colgate
Ali Sniegocki, Holy Cross
Kylee Sweet, Lafayette
Holly Lovett, Lehigh
Peyton Sward, Lehigh
*Added member due to tie in the voting
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.