GREENWOOD, Ind. - On Tuesday, the College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced the honorees of the Softball Academic All-District Teams. In the NAIA portion, five Milligan Buffaloes were selected to receive the distinction.
Senior outfielder Alexis Brown, senior outfielder Maggie Johnson, junior infielder Alana Parsons, sophomore outfielder Mia Grasse and senior infielder Hadley York were recognized as part of the 2025 NAIA Academic All-District Team.
Brown, posting a 3.97 cumulative GPA in the Child and Youth Development program, was an offensive threat all season long for the Buffs. She ended up hitting .319 in her senior season, with 14 of her 37 knocks on the year being two-base hits. In tandem, she tacked on 19 runs batted in. Additionally, her base-stealing prowess was well-evidenced by her 10 successful steals in 11 tries. Brown did not commit an error in 2025, and racked up four outfield assists as the MU right fielder.
Johnson also graduated this spring with a degree in Child and Youth Development, achieving a 3.83 cumulative GPA. She was responsible for the second-highest qualified batting average on the season for Milligan, hitting at a .336 pace. She started all 38 games that the squad played this year. She added two homers and 17 RBIs, hitting primarily out of the top two spots in the batting order. She had a team-best 20 stolen bases, while being caught just once. Defensively, she picked up five outfield assists and did not commit an error as the Buffs' everyday center fielder.
Parsons currently boasts a 3.84 GPA in the Criminal Justice program at Milligan. She was, by most measures, the Buffaloes' top player in 2025. Overall, she was the lone player to hit over .400 at .407 on the season. She led the team with eight round-trippers, quadrupling the next-highest individual total on the squad (Johnson's two). A total of 26 of her 46 hits in 2025 were of the extra-base variety (17 2B, 8 HR, 1 3B). On defense, Parsons played mostly first base, but also spent time at shortstop and third base during the season and fielded at .985. She was named an All-Appalachian Athletic Conference Second Team member as Milligan single honoree this campaign.
Grasse has achieved a 3.95 GPA, cumulatively, in the Psychology program at Milligan. Her second year with Milligan was a strong one, as the Westminster, Calif. native hit .320 with 12 RBIs. A majority of the left field reps were hers in 2025, as she started 34 of the 38 games during the campaign. In total, 14 stolen bases were racked up by the sophomore, while she was nabbed just once. Her fielding metrics included four outfield assists.
York's perfect 4.00 cumulative GPA at graduation is a heavily impressive feat, as she finished her Business Administration degree in early May. She was a starter for the Buffs in 28 games, with a majority of those coming at third base, also spending time at shortstop and in left field. She hit .222 on the year with a double and three runs batted in. She stole five bags without being thrown out and put forth a .354 on-base percentage.
CSC's Academic All-District program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performance on the field and in the classroom. To be eligible for the award, voted on by Athletic Communication professionals, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative 3.50 GPA or higher and must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their institution.
