Petersen third-team All-NWC

SALEM, Ore. — The Northwest Conference has officially announced the 2026 All-NWC Softball Team, and Willamette University first-year Mckenzee Petersen has earned a spot on the All-Conference Third Team. A native of Scott Mills, Oregon, and a graduate of Silverton High School, Petersen distinguished herself as a premier dual-threat player during her debut season for the Bearcats.

Petersen's offensive production was vital to the Willamette lineup throughout the 2025-26 campaign. She led the team in several major statistical categories, including total hits with 44 and doubles with nine. Her ability to drive in runs was evidenced by her team-leading 14 RBIs, while her efficiency at the plate resulted in a staggering 15.016 hitting OPS. In addition to her offensive output, she was a reliable anchor in the field, pacing the squad with 128 putouts.

Beyond her contributions as a first baseman, Petersen was equally effective in the pitching circle. She took on a significant workload, logging 57 2/3 innings and leading the team with 10 games started and five complete games. Petersen proved to be a dominant force against opposing hitters, recording 36 strikeouts and pacing the team with 19 pitching FPS and four pitching K. Her command was a hallmark of her performance, allowing just 18 walks over the course of the season.