AUSTIN, Texas - Five members of the Minnesota State softball team were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team for their efforts on the field and in the classroom this season. They include senior McKayla Armbruster, senior Ellie Tallman, sophomore Gianna Lara, junior Cheyenne Behrends and junior Ella Schulz.

To be nominated a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 GPA. They must compete in at least 50% of the team's games or pitch at least 10 innings. Student-athletes also need to complete at least one full year at his or her institution and be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First-, second and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced June 18. 

A pitcher from Faribault, Minnesota, Armbruster made 36 appearances in the circle for the Mavericks, including 27 starts. She led the pitching staff with a 19-7 record and a 1.92 ERA. She also struck out 142 batters in 160.1 innings pitched and held opposing hitters to a .234 average. Armbruster tossed 14 complete games, including four shutouts and recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts vs. Notre Dame College. She earned NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honors.

The Mavericks starting second baseman was Tallman, from Martelle, Iowa. Tallman played and started in all 55 games and led the team in several categories, including batting average (.385), runs scored (41), hits (67) and on-base percentage (.437). She tallied 23 multi-hit games and scored a season-high three runs against Emporia State and Findlay. She also posted an 11-game hit streak with First Team All-NSIC accolades. She was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.

A sophomore from West Des Moines, Iowa, Lara played and started in 46 games for the Mavericks, primarily at first base. She batted .331 with 46 hits and nine doubles and led the team in home runs (seven) and runs batted in (40). She also owned a .547 slugging percentage and .417 on base percentage. Lara posted 14 multi-hit games, including a season-high three hits and four runs batted in against California (Pa.). She was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.

From Clarksville, Iowa, Behrends started all 55 games at third base and batted .252 with 40 hits, eight doubles, three triples and four home runs. Behrends drove in 25 and posted 10 multi-hit games, including a season-high three hits vs. Notre Dame College. She was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.

Schulz, from Ankeny, Iowa appeared in 42 games, including 40 starts at catcher, first base and designated player for the Mavericks. She recorded 25 hits, including five doubles and two home runs. She also scored 13 runs and drove in 18. Schulz was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.

Minnesota State softball finished the 2024 season with a 39-16 overall record.