HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Kaelynn Kunkle checked one final box before graduating.
The South Hagerstown senior finish her final day of classes in style by signing a letter-or-intent to attend Frederick Community College to play softball.
Kunkle had a .368 batting average, including two doubles, two home runs and a triple for the Rebels. She drove in 17 runs and scored 23.
South finished 10-9 for the season.
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Carly Pitts has been hired as Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations & Compliance at Shepherd University.
Pitts comes to Shepherd after working in compliance for the National Junior College Athletic Association. Pitts became a Compliance Associate with the NJCAA in 2023 and was promoted to Senior Compliance Associate in 2025.
“We are excited to welcome Carly Pitts to the Ram Family …,” said Shepherd athletic director Carrie Bodkins. “Carly brings the right skill set, experience, and attention to detail for this role. Her professionalism, organizational strengths, and commitment to supporting student-athletes will be a tremendous asset.”
Pitts earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2023 from Belmont Abbey College and added an MBA from Belmont Abbey in 2024. Pitts was active with the acrobatics and tumbling and cheerleading teams for the Crusaders. Additionally, she served as a compliance and game day intern.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Ruffner earns All-American honors
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University pitcher Madelayne Ruffner has been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II and Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-America teams.
Ruffner, a repeat second team selection on both teams, posted a 15-8 mark with four saves and a 1.28 ERA. She fanned 292 and walked 22 in 164.2 innings.
Ruffner set a Shepherd single-game mark with 19 strikeouts against Millersville (April 4) and Kutztown (April 24). She also tossed no-hitters against Millersville (April 4) and Kutztown (April 14).
She was a four-time PSAC East Pitcher of the Week and three-time Wilson/NFCA Division II Pitcher of the Week. Ruffner currently leads NCAA II in strikeout-to-walk ratio (13.86), strikeouts per seven innings (12.4), and WHIP (0.71).
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Fluharty adds more All-Atlantic honors
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Shepherd University sophomore third baseman Ryan Fluharty has been named to the 2026 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-Atlantic Region Baseball Team. Fluharty previously earned NCBWA and D2CCA All-Region honors.
Fluharty, a second team selection, topped the Rams with a .385 batting average with a team-best 70 hits in 182 at-bats. He also topped the team with 16 doubles and was second in home runs with nine. He was 12-of-17 in stolen bases.
Fluharty added a team-best 51 runs batted in and 48 runs scored. He tied for the team lead with five sacrifice flies.
Shippensburg also placed three players on the team. First baseman Thomas Cano-Piszel and outfielder Ty Sherman were selected to the first team, while outfielder AJ Wenrich was placed on the second team.
COLLEGE GOLF
Veara named to PSAC Women’s Golf All-Conference team
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Shepherd University’s Sara Veara has been named to the 2025-26 PSAC Women’s Golf All-Conference Team.
Veara, a first team selection, was selected to the team for the third straight season.
She was Shepherd’s top golfer in all 12 matches and was a Top Ten finisher in 10 matches. She also finished fifth or better in six matches.
ACADEMICS
Four Rams Gain CSC Academic All-District Honors
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Four members of the Shepherd University softball team have been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team.
First baseman Brena Collis, pitcher Madelayne Ruffner, infielder Cate Russian and sophomore outfielder Payton Weaver, a Williamsport graduate, were honored.
Collis boasts a 3.89 grade point average as a health promotion and exercise science major. Collis batted .320 with 47 hits in 147 at-bats. She drove in 23 runs and scored 14. Collis added nine doubles and a team-best six home runs.
Ruffner boasts a 3.78 grade point average as an elementary education major. She posted a 15-8 mark with four saves with a 1.28 ERA. She fanned 292 and walked 22 in 164.2 innings. The PSAC East Pitcher of the Year, Ruffner currently leads NCAA II in strikeout-to-walk ratio (13.86), strikeouts per seven innings (12.4), and WHIP (0.71).
Russian boasts a 3.93 grade point average as an elementary education major. She batted. 292 with 31 hits in 106 at-bats. Russian drove in 16 runs and scored 22. She added 10 doubles and a home run.
Weaver boasts a 3.96 grade point average as a therapeutic recreation major. She batted .238 with 20 hits in 84 at-bats. Weaver drove in eight runs and scored seven. She added three doubles.
