FORT COLLINS, CO - In 2023, College Sports Evaluation (CSE) developed a method for selecting All-American honorees based solely on objective data, with the aim of recognizing athletes who deserve national attention—regardless of the school they attend or the conference in which they compete. The only factor considered in the All-American selections is in-game data, analyzed by CSE's Data & Analytics Team.
"The CSE All-American Teams are a game-changer for softball because they’re built purely on data — no bias, no favoritism, just performance. No matter the team or conference. It’s the most objective recognition players can get." — Jayden Stack – CSE Lead Data Analyst
The CSE All-American rankings are based on FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) for pitchers and wRAA (Weighted Runs Above Average) for offensive players, and are adjusted to account for strength of schedule. All numbers shown are projections for the end of the 2025 regular season.
aFIP is Adjusted Fielding Independent Pitching. This stat considers only what the pitcher can control (Ks, HRs, BBs, & HBPs) and doesn't account for above or below-average defensive play behind the pitcher. The adjustment made to FIP considers the average offensive rating of their opponents. Offensive rating is determined by the average number of runs scored. If pitchers play against teams with an above-average offensive rating, their FIP would improve.
awRAA is Adjusted Weighted Runs Above Average. This calculates how many runs a player has contributed to on an offense, compared to the national average of zero. The adjustment made to wRAA takes into consideration the average defensive rating of their opponents. Defensive rating is determined by the average number of runs allowed. If a player plays against teams with an above-average defensive rating, their wRAA would improve.
CSE D-2 All-American Players of the Year
Position Player – JT Smith (UT Tyler) Smith put together a jaw-dropping regular season, batting an incredible .497—good for second among all qualified hitters at the Division II level. She didn’t stop there, either. Smith led the entire nation in runs scored with 92, showcasing her ability to set the tone at the top of the lineup. Smith was the only player at the Division II level to have an awRAA above 50. Add in 13 home runs and 16 stolen bases, and it's clear: Smith was a force in every facet of the game in 2025.
Pitcher – Madelayne Ruffner (Shepherd) Shepherd ace Madelayne Ruffner turned in a season for the ages, leading all of Division II in advanced Fielding Independent Pitching (aFIP) with a staggering 0.6688 — the only qualified pitcher in the country to finish under 1.00. Ruffner was lights out all year, striking out 298 batters (2nd in D2) while allowing just 19 earned runs over 161.1 innings of work. Her dominance didn’t stop there: she tossed 17 complete games and anchored Shepherd’s run to a Division II regional berth. With a combination of command, poise, and raw power in the circle, Ruffner made it clear — she's one of the most formidable arms in the nation.
