Softball | 3/4/2026 1:00:00 PM

NAPERVILLE — The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) softball season opened with the first non-conference results of the 2026 campaign as teams began building toward conference play. 
 
Vikings and Pioneers Navigate Initial Non-Conference Slates
The first wave of competition began on Feb. 18 when Illinois Wesleyan opened with a split against Illinois College, earning a 3-2 win in the opener before falling 11-0 in five innings. Senior Gianna Certa threw a complete game in game one and allowed three hits. Sophomore Riley McDoniel went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored in the opener.
 
North Central began its season on Feb. 19 and dropped a doubleheader to Loras by scores of 7-4 and 6-1. Bailey Miller hit a solo home run in game one, while Juliana Maude recorded 10 strikeouts over seven innings.
 
Carroll opened a busy stretch with a Feb. 21 doubleheader against Wisconsin-Stevens Point and losses of 2-1 and 9-1. Kaylee Baker recorded the Pioneers’ lone RBI in the opener with a double to left-center. Carroll returned to action last Thursday and swept MSOE by scores of 2-1 and 6-2. Mya Schneider earned the game-one win, allowing one earned run in 4.1 innings.
 
North Park opened its season last Friday with a doubleheader sweep of Hope, winning 9-1 in six innings and 12-11 in game two. Senior Kayla Lorenz totaled six RBIs on the day … Elmhurst also opened on Friday with a 6-5 win over Saint Mary’s (Ind.) before falling to Earlham. Hailee Jenkins hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning against Saint Mary’s and was credited with the win.
 
Weekly Honors Highlight High-Volume Performances
North Park senior shortstop Kayla Lorenz and Carroll sophomore right-handed pitcher Makayla Wall were named the CCIW Softball Student-Athletes of the Week on Monday afternoon. Lorenz was selected as Hitter of the Week after going 4-for-7 with three triples and six RBIs in the sweep of Hope, including a bases-clearing triple in game one. Her three-triple performance marked the third multi-triple game in North Park program history.
 
Wall earned Pitcher of the Week honors after totaling 19.1 innings and 19 strikeouts across six outings. She posted a 2.17 ERA and recorded a 9.1-inning scoreless stretch that included both a win and a save.
 
Additional early highlights included North Central’s Carley Creeth going 3-for-3 in a game against Loras on Feb. 19 and holding a conference-leading .750 batting average … Certa posted a 2.92 ERA through IWU’s Feb. 18 opener and recorded a complete-game win over Illinois College.
 
Conference Talent Claims National Statistical Ranks
The CCIW has multiple teams and individuals listed in the early NCAA Division III national statistical rankings. Creeth ranks 10th nationally in batting average (.750) and 11th in on-base percentage (.833) … The Cardinals also include Kayla Crabtree, who ranks 10th nationally in hit by pitch per game (0.50) and Juliana Maude, who ranks 27th nationally in strikeouts per seven innings (10.0).
 
North Central’s Sam Schilf ranks 51st nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.00) … Wall ranks 90th nationally in WHIP (1.07) and 47th in total strikeouts (15) … Elmhurst ranks 19th nationally in double plays per game (0.50), while Carroll ranks 36th in total double plays turned and 54th in total doubles (nine).
 
Vikings Take Early Lead in Overall Standings
Through last weekend, North Park leads the league in overall record at 2-0 … Carroll follows at 3-3, while Illinois Wesleyan is 2-4 and Elmhurst is 1-3 … North Central stands at 0-2 after two games in Peoria … Augustana, Carthage, Millikin and Wheaton have not yet recorded a decision, with season openers scheduled in the coming weeks.
 
Spring Trips Define the Upcoming Schedule
Spring break trips and early home openers will drive the upcoming schedule. Millikin opens its 2026 season Friday with a home doubleheader against Greenville at Workman Family Softball Field … Carthage opens Saturday in Clermont, Fla. against Penn State Brandywine and Carnegie Mellon. 
 
North Central returns to action Sunday in Florida against Rhode Island College and Skidmore … North Park resumes play Sunday in Kissimmee, Fla. against Aurora and Ohio Northern … Carroll continues its Florida schedule next Tuesday with games against Thomas and Saint Joseph’s (Maine).
 
Notable Achievements and Career Marks
North Central opened the year with a 1.000 team fielding percentage through two games, which is currently tied for the Division III lead … Carroll’s Grace O’Connor produced the first walk-off hit of the conference season with a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Edgewood 4-3 last Friday … Wall recorded both a win and a save during the same week for Carroll, earning a save against MSOE and a win against Edgewood.