One of the best seasons in Hillsdale College softball history on the field was also a banner year off of it.
While the Chargers were racking up 35 victories, the third most in program history, a G-MAC Tournament title and an NCAA DII Tournament appearance, Hillsdale also had several players excelling in the classroom, as shown by the number of Chargers making the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, announced on Tuesday afternoon. Juniors Erin Kapteyn, Hailey Holtman and Grace Wallner were recognized, as well as sophomore Hannah Hoverman.
In order to be considered for CSC Academic All-District honors, an athlete must be either a starter or a meaningful contributor, and carry a 3.5 or better cumulative GPA. All Academic All-District honorees are entered into consideration to receive prestigious Academic All-American honors from CSC later in May, as voted on and selected by institution SIDs at the NCAA DII level.
The honor is the latest in a banner season for Kapteyn, who was named G-MAC Pitcher of the Week three times and earned her second consecutive second-team All-G-MAC honor earlier this month. The junior posted a 13-7 record in 27 appearances and 122 innings pitched, recording a stellar 1.95 ERA and 78 strikeouts. Kapteyn also completed the Chargers' first no-hitter since 2012 in a 4-0 win over Queens (NY) on March 11, and played an integral role in Hillsdale setting a G-MAC single season record for team ERA with 1.71, the ninth-best mark in the nation at the NCAA DII level this season. For her career, Kapteyn is now ninth all-time at Hillsdale in shutouts (seven) and wins (28).
Kapteyn also has been an excellent student at Hillsdale, earning a LAUREATES Research Grant and membership in the Hillsdale Pre-Professional Society, as well as volunteering at Hillsdale Hospital and with Elara Caring Hospice.
She's joined on the team by another multi-year starter in Holtman, who's been the team's every-day shortstop for each of the last three seasons. The leadoff hitter for the Chargers in 2023, Holtman led Hillsdale in hits (56) and doubles (13) while posting a .315 batting average with 18 RBIs as well, and also being named G-MAC Player of the Week in 2023. Holtman also displayed impressive range at shortstop defensively, making several notable plays and setting a new career-high in assists (101) while nearly matching her career-best fielding percentage in 2023.
The junior also has been a great student, posting the team's best GPA and earning the Hillsdale College Biochemistry Department award for the 2022-23 school year. She's also an active volunteer in the community with a variety of charities, including working for Weightless Anchor women's shelter in Cincinnati over the summer.
A third standout junior to make the Academic All-District team is Grace Wallner, who had a breakout season in her first year as the Chargers' every-day third baseman. Wallner put together an impressive campaign, being named G-MAC Player of the Week for the first time in 2023, while also leading the Chargers in batting average (.323) and RBIs (33) to go with nine doubles and three home runs.
Wallner also had a big year in the classroom as a Psychology major at Hillsdale, earning a Fall 2022 Social Sciences Departmental Award for outstanding achievement in statistics. She's also an active volunteer with several charities, including working in the summer with the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association to help special needs children in her local community.
Last but not least is sophomore Hannah Hoverman, who had an impressive season as Hillsdale's catcher and designated player, earning third team All-G-MAC honors for her play. Hoverman led the Chargers in home runs with four and was red-hot in conference play, hitting .375 with eight doubles, three home runs and 15 RBIs against G-MAC foes.
Off the playing field, Hoverman also has impressed as well. She's earned Academic All-G-MAC honors in both of her seasons in college and is an active volunteer in the Hillsdale community through the GOAL program.
As All-District honorees, all four players are under consideration for CSC Academic All-American honors. A team of All-Americans will be chosen from the All-District winners and the selections will be announced on June 6.