Statistics have a place in any discussion on the merits of a player, but they don't always tell the full story.
Instead of individual recognition, it's in shared accomplishments, and helping put the Hillsdale College softball program back on the map, where graduating seniors Victoria Addis (Massilon, OH/Jackson), Erin Gordon (Everett, WA/Everett), Carlin MacDonald-Gannon (Windsor, ON/Holy Names Catholic), and Sydney San Juan (Novi, MI/Walled Lake Western) really set themselves apart as a class.
Along with classmates Sam Catron and Dana Weidinger, who are both returning for a fifth year next season, the group helped Hillsdale College to back-to-back G-MAC tournament titles, and two of the Charger program's three NCAA tournament appearances in Hillsdale's 30-year tenure as a Division II school.
The Chargers didn't enter either the 2018 or 2019 G-MAC tournament with a top three seed, but peaked at the right time in both seasons thanks in no small part to the contributions of the Class of 2020, who graduate with an 8-0 G-MAC tournament record.
Those team accomplishments are a true testament to a group that throughout their careers were willing to put team first, make sacrifices and play whatever role it took to help the Chargers find success.
"When it comes to this group, I think their postseason success and what the team accomplished when they were here speaks for itself," Charger softball coach Kyle Gross said. "These players just did all the little things that don't show up in the stats but that you need to have if your team is going to be successful.
"The intangibles are what stand out most about this group, and are going to be a hard thing to replace."
Today, on what would have been their Senior Day doubleheader against Ohio Dominican had the season not been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Hillsdale College pays tribute to the softball Class of 2020 and their many accomplishments as Chargers.
There's no better representative of the Class of 2020's ability to step up when it counts than Addis, who will be remembered for years to come for her heroics in Hillsdale's G-MAC tournament wins in 2018 and 2019.
During the Chargers' 2018 run to the title, Addis had a hit in all four G-MAC tournament games and scored a run in three of them, but that was just a prelude to Hillsdale's 2019 championship, where Addis went 7 of 14 with five RBIs and two home runs, including a game-winning homer in extra innings to get the Chargers past Kentucky Wesleyan in their second contest.
That performance earned Addis, an outfielder for the Chargers, G-MAC Player of the Week for tournament week – the rough equivalent of the G-MAC tournament MVP for 2019.
A rare dual-sport athlete at Hillsdale College who also starred in the pool as a swimmer for the Chargers, Addis finished her career with a .331 batting average in 309 plate appearances, including 24 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs and 52 RBIs, as well as 11 stolen bases and a .929 fielding percentage.
Addis will graduate summa cum laude this spring with a degree in Biochemistry.
The ultimate utility player for the Charger softball team, Gordon's versatility allowed her to play multiple positions depending on where Hillsdale had a need in the lineup and in the field.
Over the course of her career, Gordon pitched and played four other field positions at different times, going wherever the Chargers had a spot it needed a steady hand to fill.
Gordon's willingness to play wherever she was needed and in whatever situation was one of the traits that made her an excellent teammate, and a major part of building a successful program culture at Hillsdale.
Despite moving around to several different positions in the field, Gordon was a solid defensive player wherever she went, posting a .953 fielding percentage for her career and committing just two errors in her final two seasons.
On the mound, Gordon posted an 8-5 record, with two complete games and a save in 28 appearances, making an impact as both a starter and a reliever in her career.
Gordon will graduate with honors this spring with a degree in Accounting.
Carlin MacDonald-Gannon
Another player who filled many roles during her time at Hillsdale, including as the national anthem singer for many Chargers home events, MacDonald-Gannon was a big asset in a variety of ways.
Her defensive ability, athleticism and speed on the basepaths made her a go-to substitute for the Chargers throughout her career, and in 83 appearances she came through for Hillsdale in several high-leverage situations.
MacDonald-Gannon's skills as a pinch runner are evident in two stats: her stolen-base success rate (10 for 11 in her career) and her 32 runs scored, showing a knack for avoiding pick-offs and turning one base into two or more off her teammates' hits.
Another one of the softball team's multi-sport athletes, MacDonald-Gannon also had a successful year running indoor track this past winter.
She will graduate this spring with a degree in Biochemistry and plans to attend medical school in the fall.
A second-team All-GLIAC player for the Chargers as a freshman, San Juan battled injuries throughout her career but didn't let those setbacks stop her from being a key part of the Hillsdale lineup in all four seasons she played.
San Juan was a top-notch catcher for her first three years with the Chargers, posting a .980 fielding percentage for her career, and when injuries forced her to give up catching as a senior, she made a quick transition to second base, continuing to excel defensively at her new position.
As a hitter, San Juan batted .309 for her career with three doubles and 23 RBIs, and also was successful in all five of her attempts to steal a base.
In the classroom, San Juan was one of the athletic department's best students, and, as of the start of the 2019-20 school year, one of only two athletes in the entire Hillsdale College program to carry a 4.0 grade point average.
San Juan will graduate summa cum laude this spring with a degree in Psychology.
With two conference tournament titles and two Division II NCAA Tournament appearances, the Class of 2020 graduates as one of the most accomplished softball classes in Hillsdale College history.
We are proud of Victoria, Erin, Carlin and Sydney for everything they've achieved during their time here, and we're grateful for the positive impact they've made on the softball program and Hillsdale College as a whole. Hillsdale College wishes them the best of luck in what is sure to be a bright future for all of them.
Thank you, seniors, and charge on!