SALEM, Va. – Linfield University standouts Ashlyn Aven and Meara Sain have been named first team All-Americans by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in recognition of the pair's outstanding accomplishments throughout the 2026 softball season.
 
The awards are to be presented Wednesday at Roanoke College as part of the pre-tournament banquet of the NCAA Division III Championship Finals.
 
One of two graduating Linfield seniors, Aven is also being singled out as the Diamond Sports/NFCA Division III Catcher of the Year.
 
The Yelm, Washington, native has enjoyed a magnificent senior campaign in leading the Wildcats to a fourth-straight appearance in this week's NCAA Championship Finals. She leads all Division III players in home runs (24) and RBIs (88) while adding 24 doubles, drawing 23 walks and registering a career-best .430 batting average.
 
Behind the plate, Aven boasts a .977 fielding percentage in 266 defensive opportunities.
 
An exercise science and secondary education double major, Aven earned her second All-America citation after landing on the NFCA All-America second team a year ago. She is the daughter of Jason and Christine Aven.
 
Aven becomes the second Linfield Wildcat to be singled out as the Diamond Sports/NFCA Division III Catcher of the Year. Former All-American and Hall of Fame inductee Emilee Lepp also won the award in 2011 when she set the standing Division III record of 29 home runs.
 
Sain picked up her first career NFCA All-America honor after recording one of the finest offensive seasons in Linfield softball history.
 
Sain leads Linfield with a .494 batting average. The junior from Eugene tops all Division III hitters with a school-record 32 doubles, one short of equaling the Division III record of 33. She also contributed six home runs, one triple, 13 stolen bases and drew 19 walks while striking out just six times in 164 trips to the plate.
 
A starter in all 48 games in center field, Sain was perfect defensively in 83 fielding opportunities.
 
An exercise science major, Sain is the daughter of Erin Moser and Dustin Sain.
 
Sain, Aven and their Wildcat teammates practiced Wednesday morning at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in preparation for Thursday's opening-round game against Redlands. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. EDT (10:30 a.m. PDT). Linfield is seeking its third Division III national championship since 2007.