Softball's Jones and Thibodeaux Earn NFCA All-Region Honors for 2026

FULL NFCA All-Region Story

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – After helping lead the University of Bridgeport softball team to its first-ever CACC Championship and a third consecutive NCAA East Regional appearance, senior Mya Jones and sophomore Paityn Thibodeaux were both recognized with All-Region honors by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) on Friday. Jones earned First Team distinction while Thibodeaux secured a spot on the Second Team.

Mya Jones | NFCA All-Region First Team

Capping off one of the most decorated careers in program history, Jones earned All-Region recognition following another sensational campaign in 2026. Now a six-time All-Region selection and the 2026 CACC Player of the Year, Jones also secured her fourth career All-Conference honor after leading the Purple Knights offensively throughout the season.

Jones leads UB with a .433 batting average and 58 total hits while ranking second in the CACC in both batting average and on-base percentage (.510). She also finished among the conference leaders in RBIs (35), slugging percentage (.649) and total hits. Her dominance intensified in league play, where she led the entire CACC with a .532 batting average, .851 slugging percentage and .566 on-base percentage against conference opponents.

The senior carried that momentum into the postseason as well. Jones earned a spot on the CACC All-Tournament Team after batting .467 during UB's five-win run to the conference championship, highlighted by a 4-for-4 performance with a solo home run in the title-game victory over top-seeded Caldwell.

Consistency fueled Jones' season, as she recorded at least one hit in 32 different games while posting 18 multi-hit performances. She was twice selected as the CACC Player of the Week and also garnered national attention with a place on the NFCA Player of the Year Watchlist in April.

Jones is concluding her career as one of the greatest players in Purple Knights history, sitting with 222 career hits, 169 RBIs and a stellar .415 career batting average across 176 games played.

Paityn Thibodeaux | NFCA All-Region Second Team

After putting together one of the top offensive seasons in the East Region, Thibodeaux earned the first All-Region honor of her career following a breakout 2026 campaign. Emerging as one of the Purple Knights' most dangerous hitters, she has been a steady presence in the middle of UB's lineup all season long.

Thibodeaux currently leads the squad in doubles (14), walks (26) and slugging percentage (.659), while also ranking second on the team in batting average (.356), home runs (8) and RBIs (36). Her production has also placed her among the CACC's elite, as she ranks fourth in the conference in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and OPS (1.131).

Consistency has been a hallmark of Thibodeaux's season, as she recorded at least one hit in 31 different games.

She elevated her play even further down the stretch, batting .429 during the month of April while hitting .417 against conference opponents. Her standout performances also earned her CACC Player of the Week honors on April 27.

For all information regarding Bridgeport Athletics, visit www.UBKnights.com and follow UB Athletics on Facebook (UBPurpleKnights), X (@UBPurpleKnights) and Instagram (@UBPurpleKnights).