NEW HAVEN, Conn. (May 26, 2026) – Caldwell University softball player Katie O’Connor has been selected the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Student-Athlete of the Month for April 2026, CACC Commissioner Dan Mara announced today. O’Connor earned the award for demonstrating success on the field during the month, while also being a standout in the classroom and giving back to her community.

O’Connor, a junior pitcher from Charlottesville, Va., helped Caldwell capture the 2026 CACC regular-season championship. She turned in an 8-1 won-lost record during April as part of a season which saw her go 15-8 with a 3.54 earned-run average.

O’Connor was voted onto the 2026 All-CACC Second Team. In three seasons, she is already among the top 12 on the Caldwell career lists for wins (37), strikeouts (216), and innings (371 1/3).

Academically, O’Connor maintains a 3.93 cumulative grade-point average as a health science major. In 2025, she qualified for the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Team and was named an Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete. She has been named to the CACC All-Academic Team and is a three-time Presidents’ Level member of the CACC Academic Honor Roll.

O’Connor has worked with the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the past eight years in her native Charlottsville, fostering 30 cats and kittens and helping them to find loving homes. She also assists with local adoption events for puppies and dogs. On the softball side she serves as a volunteer clinician, giving lessons to girls ages 5-12 both independently and with her Caldwell teammates.

The CACC Student-Athlete of the Month Award is handed out from September to May and recognizes one student-athlete from any sport active during that month.

2025-26 CACC STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
September: Ariana Gaminara, Caldwell University Women’s Soccer
October: Nikki Dedes, Thomas Jefferson University Women’s Soccer
November: Shelby Kinzer, Holy Family University Women’s Volleyball
December: Kristina Peric, Post University Women’s Volleyball
January: Emily Spratt, Thomas Jefferson University Women’s Basketball
February: Melvin Evans, Caldwell University Men’s Basketball
March: Caitlin Petrellese, Georgian Court University Women’s Lacrosse
April: Katie O’Connor, Caldwell University Softball

Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 20 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 17 sports – seven for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.