Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Marina Mason Named Consensus Freshman All-American
5/28/2026 11:21:00 AM | Softball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern Softball's Marina Mason was named a First Team Freshman All-American by D1Softball, the organization announced on Thursday.
This marks another accolade in a decorated rookie campaign for Mason, who also earned Softball American Freshman All-American honors last week to solidify her status as a consensus Freshman All-American. In addition, Mason was also named a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten recipient, a Big Ten All-Freshman Team recipient, and earned NFCA First Team All-Region honors.
The rookie pitcher led Northwestern in the circle this season, going 18-9 in 32 appearances with a 2.42 ERA (52 ER/150.1 IP), 170 strikeouts and a .188 opposing batting average. Mason tossed 14 complete games in her 25 starts this season, including seven complete game shutouts which was tied for the most among Big Ten pitchers throughout the regular season. Mason finished the season ranked in the Top-5 of nearly every Big Ten pitching leaderboard, including ERA (2.42; 3rd), hits allowed per seven innings (4.89, 3rd), opposing batting average (.188), complete games (14; 3rd) and strikeouts (170; 5th).
During conference play, Mason posted a 13-3 record and 2.00 ERA (27 ER/94.2 IP), totaling 101 strikeouts to go along with a 1.07 WHIP. Her 13 wins were tied for the most among Big Ten pitchers in conference play, while her 2.00 ERA ranked second only to the National Player of the Year, Jordy Frahm (Nebraska). In her last 10 outings to close the regular season, Mason went 10-0 with six complete games, four shutouts, a 1.54 ERA (12 ER/54.2 IP), and 62 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to a .150 batting average.
Mason earned both Big Ten Pitcher of the Week and Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors following two stellar outings against Minnesota to conclude the regular season. The first-year went 2-0 over two complete games, tallying a career-high 12 strikeouts while retiring 22 of 25 batters faced in a 6-0 win over the Golden Gophers on 5/3.
The Brentwood, Tennessee native was also named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on April 20 following a dominant series performance vs. Michigan State, during which she finished 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts while tossing a complete game shutout in each of her two starts to help lead the Wildcats to a weekend series sweep over the Spartans.
After a sensational weekend against Illinois, Mason was tabbed as Softball America's National Pitcher of the Week on March 23. She went 2-0 with two complete games, posting a 0.50 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) with 10 strikeouts while allowing just two hits across 50 batters faced. The performance was highlighted by her first collegiate no-hitter in a 5-0 win over the Fighting Illini, marking the 54th no-hitter in program history and the first by a Northwestern rookie since 2011.
In addition to becoming the first Wildcat rookie to earn First Team All-Big Ten honors since Danielle Williams and Jordyn Rudd in 2019, Mason was also named a Top-10 finalist for the NFCA National Freshman of the Year award, one of just four Big Ten players and four pitchers to be a finalist for the award.
This marks another accolade in a decorated rookie campaign for Mason, who also earned Softball American Freshman All-American honors last week to solidify her status as a consensus Freshman All-American. In addition, Mason was also named a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten recipient, a Big Ten All-Freshman Team recipient, and earned NFCA First Team All-Region honors.
The rookie pitcher led Northwestern in the circle this season, going 18-9 in 32 appearances with a 2.42 ERA (52 ER/150.1 IP), 170 strikeouts and a .188 opposing batting average. Mason tossed 14 complete games in her 25 starts this season, including seven complete game shutouts which was tied for the most among Big Ten pitchers throughout the regular season. Mason finished the season ranked in the Top-5 of nearly every Big Ten pitching leaderboard, including ERA (2.42; 3rd), hits allowed per seven innings (4.89, 3rd), opposing batting average (.188), complete games (14; 3rd) and strikeouts (170; 5th).
During conference play, Mason posted a 13-3 record and 2.00 ERA (27 ER/94.2 IP), totaling 101 strikeouts to go along with a 1.07 WHIP. Her 13 wins were tied for the most among Big Ten pitchers in conference play, while her 2.00 ERA ranked second only to the National Player of the Year, Jordy Frahm (Nebraska). In her last 10 outings to close the regular season, Mason went 10-0 with six complete games, four shutouts, a 1.54 ERA (12 ER/54.2 IP), and 62 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to a .150 batting average.
Mason earned both Big Ten Pitcher of the Week and Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors following two stellar outings against Minnesota to conclude the regular season. The first-year went 2-0 over two complete games, tallying a career-high 12 strikeouts while retiring 22 of 25 batters faced in a 6-0 win over the Golden Gophers on 5/3.
The Brentwood, Tennessee native was also named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on April 20 following a dominant series performance vs. Michigan State, during which she finished 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts while tossing a complete game shutout in each of her two starts to help lead the Wildcats to a weekend series sweep over the Spartans.
After a sensational weekend against Illinois, Mason was tabbed as Softball America's National Pitcher of the Week on March 23. She went 2-0 with two complete games, posting a 0.50 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) with 10 strikeouts while allowing just two hits across 50 batters faced. The performance was highlighted by her first collegiate no-hitter in a 5-0 win over the Fighting Illini, marking the 54th no-hitter in program history and the first by a Northwestern rookie since 2011.
In addition to becoming the first Wildcat rookie to earn First Team All-Big Ten honors since Danielle Williams and Jordyn Rudd in 2019, Mason was also named a Top-10 finalist for the NFCA National Freshman of the Year award, one of just four Big Ten players and four pitchers to be a finalist for the award.
Players Mentioned
P
/ SoftballSoftball - Marina Mason Tosses One-Hit Shutout, 'Cats Claim Series Win vs. Minnesota (5/3/26)
Monday, May 04
The Foundation: Northwestern Softball | 2026 Senior Class
Friday, May 01
Softball - Wildcats Open Weekend with 5-1 Win Over Minnesota (5/1/26)
Friday, May 01
Softball - Marina Mason's Complete Game Shutout Fuels a 1-0 Series Sweeping Win at Purdue - 4/26/26
Sunday, April 26
