MEDFORD, MA (March 23, 2026) – Following just the third week of her collegiate career, Tufts University first-year shortstop
Paige Murphy has earned the NESCAC Softball Player of the Week award for her performance during six games in Texas last week.
Murphy helped lead Tufts to a 5-1 record during the week (Mar. 15-20), in which the Jumbos recorded double-header sweeps at Trinity (Texas) and #11 St. Thomas (Texas). The team also had an impressive split at #3 in the nation Texas Lutheran. In the six games, Murphy hit .522 (12/23) with two doubles, a home run, six runs scored and six runs batted in. She also stole two bases and handled 35 of the 36 fielding chances she faced at shortstop.
In a 7-6 win in game two at Trinity on Tuesday, Murphy went 5 for 5 with two doubles, two runs, and two RBIs. Tufts won the game with two runs in the top of the seventh, including an rbi double by Murphy that tied the score 6-6. At Texas Lutheran on Friday, Murphy went 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs and two rbis as the Jumbos defeated the Bulldogs 7-6 in game two. She was also 2 for 4 with a run and two rbis when Tufts defeated St. Thomas 5-3 in game one on Wednesday.
Jumbos have won two of the first three NESCAC Player of the Week awards for the 2026 season. Senior infielder
Haley Leimbach was the recipient on March 9.
Murphy has started all 14 games for Tufts and is hitting .471 (24/51) with five doubles, two home runs, 11 runs scored and 11 rbis. She's tied for the conference lead in doubles and is second in hits.
The Jumbos (11-3) open NESCAC play with games at Wesleyan on Saturday and at home versus Bates on Sunday.
--JUMBOS--
