Hempstead, NY – In the final week of the 2026 regular season, Madison Steppe put in an exceptional outing on Friday to help the Pride to a series sweep of Monmouth, and she was rewarded with the final Coastal Athletic Association Rookie of the Week honor. This is the second time Steppe has been recognized as the Rookie of the Week by the conference.
 
Steppe pitched all seven innings and only surrendered one run on two hits and two walks in Hofstra's 3-1 win over the Hawks on Friday as part of the Pride's sweep. The first-year pitcher from Charlottesville, Virginia struck out four Monmouth batters and allowed opposing batters to hit a mere .087 against her on Friday.
 
Steppe and Hofstra will now shift focus towards the 2026 CAA Championship down in Elon, North Carolina, where the Pride will be the top seed after a historic 21-win season in CAA play. The Pride will face either #4 Stony Brook or #5 Charleston on Thursday, May 7, at 12 p.m.