NAPERVILLE — The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced its Student-Athletes of the Week in softball on Monday, recognizing Carthage senior outfielder Gwen Hendrick as Hitter of the Week and North Central senior pitcher Sam Schilf as Pitcher of the Week.
 
Hitter: Gwen Hendrick, Carthage
The conference’s Hitter of the Week honor went to Carthage after Hendrick helped the Firebirds to a 4-4 record across eight games. A senior from Appleton, Wis., she batted .571 (16-for-28) during the trip with 16 RBI, six runs scored and four doubles. 
 
Hendrick posted a 1.314 OPS and added five stolen bases. Her week included a 4-for-4 performance in a win over No. 11 Moravian, while she also drove in five runs in separate contests against Calvin and Alfred.
 
Softball: Sam Schilf, North Central
Schilf earned Pitcher of the Week recognition for the second consecutive week following an extended workload for NCC during the Cardinals’ 10-game trip. The senior left-hander from Warrenville, Ill. appeared in seven games and made six starts, totaling 36 innings with a 2.33 ERA. 
 
She recorded three victories on the week, including scoreless appearances of four innings against Curry and six innings against Augsburg. Schilf also finished the trip with 24 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a .267 batting average.

2026 CCIW Softball Student-Athletes of the Week
Hitter
March 16: Gwen Hendrick, Carthage
March 9: Clare Rettler, Carthage
March 2: Kayla Lorenz, North Park

Pitcher
March 16: Sam Schilf, North Central
March 9: Sam Schilf, North Central
March 2: Makayla Wall, Carroll