2018 NFCA Division II All-American release
For just the second time in the past 24 years, the Hillsdale College softball program has an All-American on the roster.
Junior outfielder Katie Kish earned Second-Team All-American recognition by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association following an incredibly productive 2018 season. The national organization released its All-American honors at an awards banquet Wednesday night.
Kish joins Jessica Guertin as the only NCAA Division II All-American players at Hillsdale since the 1994 season. Guertin, the program's all-time leader in home runs, earned her honor following the 2010 season.
During the 2018 season, Kish was the leadoff hitter and offensive catalyst for a Charger team that won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament and qualified for the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional for the first time in 27 years. She batted .481, ranking her in the top 10 in Division II and was the second-best batting average in a single season in Hillsdale history. Her 65 hits were sixth-most in a season in school history, and she stole 12 bases. In 41 games played, she failed to reach base twice through the season, an amazing statistic, which showed how focused and consistent she was day in and day out.
As the team's starting left fielder, Kish sported a .976 fielding percentage. Left field can be a particularly challenging position to play especially at home, when late in the day, the sun comes right into a left fielder's eyes. But neither the sun, nor opposing pitchers' best efforts, were enough to contain Kish, who had a .500 batting average for the season as late as May 3.
Kish is the fourth female athlete at Hillsdale to attain All-American status during the 2017-18 academic year. She joins a list that includes volleyball players Paige VanderWall and Kara Vyletel, along with cross country runner Hannah McIntyre.