Thomas Jefferson University’s Emily Akelaitis made history on Wednesday, becoming the first Ram to be named the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Softball Player and Rookie of the Year.

The former Northwestern Lehigh player was also a member of the All-CACC First Team.

Since entering the CACC for the 2005-06 academic year, the Rams had never had a player win either the Player or Rookie of the Year awards in softball until Akelaitis captured both honors this season.

Akelaitis leads the conference with 52 RBIs, nine more than the next-closest player. She also ranks first in slugging percentage (.872), second in batting average (.479), third in home runs (8), fourth in hits (45), tied for fourth in doubles (11) and sixth in on-base percentage (.500).

Nationally, Akelaitis is first in Division II in RBIs per game, fifth in RBI, and 17th in average and slugging.

In the pitching circle, Akelaitis has posted a 5-5 record. She has a 3.05 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 59.2 innings.

Akelaitis was the 2019 Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Softball Player of the Year.