By: Madelyn Stephen, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
GREENWOOD, Ind. -- Missouri S&T softball standout Taylor Nelson (Hailey, ID/Phillips Exeter Academy) has been named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Third Team, as announced by the organization.
The Academic All-America program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined success in competition and in the classroom.
Nelson adds another prestigious honor to a historic junior campaign in which she rewrote the Missouri S&T record book while helping lead the Miners to an NCAA Midwest Regional appearance.
Starting all 53 games at shortstop, Nelson hit .421 with 67 hits, 57 runs scored, 20 home runs, and 60 RBI. Her 20 home runs, 60 RBI, 42 walks, and .894 slugging percentage all established new single-season program records. She also ranked among the GLVC leaders in numerous offensive categories throughout the season.
Nelson tied the Missouri S&T single-game records for runs scored in a game with four and home runs in a game with three. She finished the season with a .536 on-base percentage while striking out just 28 times in 144 at-bats.
Defensively, Nelson posted a .953 fielding percentage while serving as a cornerstone of the Miners' infield throughout the season.
Nelson's record-breaking year helped propel Missouri S&T to a 37-19 overall record, a program-record 22 GLVC victories, a runner-up finish in the conference standings, and the program's third NCAA Midwest Regional appearance.
The Academic All-America honor adds to an already impressive list of accolades for Nelson during the 2026 season and recognizes her excellence both on the field and in the classroom.
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