Kansas City, MO – Graduate student catcher Grace Ross was named a NAIA First Team All-American, NAIA officials announced on Tuesday afternoon. Ross becomes the latest Patriot to earn one of the association's highest honors after a record-breaking season in her first year at the University of the Cumberlands. 

Ross transferred to Cumberlands from Our Lady of the Lake University and adds First-Team All-American honors to an already impressive collegiate resume after earning NAIA Second-Team All-American recognition in 2024. The graduate student put together one of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history, batting .402 while leading the Patriots with 76 hits, 19 doubles, 19 home runs, 61 RBI, and 59 runs scored. She also posted a .487 on-base percentage and an .815 slugging percentage while starting all 61 games. 

Ross finished the season ranked fifth in the NAIA in home runs and shattered Cumberlands' single-season home run record. Her 19 long balls helped power the Patriots' offense throughout the year, while her consistency at the plate made her one of the most dangerous hitters in the nation. Defensively, Ross recorded 204 putouts and 21 assists while posting a .970 fielding percentage as the Patriots' catcher.  

Ross becomes the lone Patriot to earn NAIA All-American honors this season and joins an elite group of players in program history to receive First-Team All-American recognition. 

The Patriots concluded the 2026 campaign with a 40-21 overall record and advanced to the NAIA Softball World Series. Cumberlands claimed the NAIA Opening Round title as the No. 3 seed to secure its spot in the final site and cap another successful season on the national stage. 

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