Softball

Saluting the Class of 2020 | Softball

Saluting the Class of 2020 | Softball
Posted: Apr 14, 2020

FOREST, Va. --- This an unprecendented time in the world of collegiate athletics, with spring sports and championships canceled due to the landscape surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The stoppage of competition, while affecting all student-athletes, was especially painful for the senior class of 2020 with an abrupt end to their careers. In a new series of features, the ODAC would like to honor this class of athletes and celebrate them for their years of contributions to their respective programs at each of the conference's 15 member schools.

In this installment of our "Saluting the Class of 2020" features, the ODAC showcases the seniors from our softball programs.

The 2020 class has been a part of arguably the most successful stretch of softball in ODAC history. Since 2017, 10 teams have qualified for NCAA Tournaments with Virginia Wesleyan University claiming two national titles and posting a 23-4 record. Randolph-Macon College joined VWU in making all three tournaments, going 8-7 with a trip to the national championship series in 2019. The University of Lynchburg came up one game short of joining R-MC in Texas last year as the Hornets wrapped up their second straight berth in the super regionals. Lynchburg went 5-5 on the national stage in those two seasons.

Emory & Henry College picked up its first NCAA Tournament win since 2003 in the 2017 postseason and returned to the national field as one of four ODAC teams to qualify for the tournament in 2019. The Wasps went 1-4 in their NCAA Tournament games.

In the ODAC Tournament, Virginia Wesleyan's seniors -- Kaylah Duplain, Madison Glaubke, Jessica Goldyn, and Hanna Hull -- led the Marlins to three straight conference championships. That continued a larger run of four consecutive ODAC trophies and six in the past seven years.

The Marlins 2018 squad is the most successful in ODAC and NCAA history as VWU racked up a Division III all-time best 55 wins (55-3) that included a 41-game winning streak. That is the third-longest run in D-III history. That Marlins team, which won the second of two straight NCAA titles, also set the ODAC record for winning percentage (.948).

RELATED: ODAC Tournament History | ODAC Softball NCAA History

Once all statistics are deemed final from the shortened 2020 season, VWU's Hull will have etched her name next to nearly all major ODAC pitching records in addition to several NCAA marks. For the conference, Hull is the all-time ODAC career leader in wins (109), winning percentage (.924), innings pitched (725.2), strikeouts (1,153), shutouts (44), and earned run average (0.68). She is the single-season record-holder in wins (40 in 2018), innings pitched (267.2 in 2018), strikeouts (376 in 2018), shutouts (17 in 2017), and ERA (0.51 in 2017).

In terms of NCAA records, Hull's resumé is impressive. Her 40 victories in 2018 make her one of just two pitchers in Division III history to reach the 40-win plateau. She was 40-2 in that season, which is one loss better than Jennifer Segner's 2000 season for Muskingum College. Hull's 109-9 career record towards a .924 winning percentage is fourth all-time, while her 109 victories rank ninth.

Hull owns two of the top-15 all-time strikeout seasons in NCAA Division III history with 376 as #13 in 2018 and 372 as #15 in 2017. Her 47 appearances in 2018 are tied for third in D-III history.

RELATED: ODAC Softball Record Book | NCAA Record Book

Statistically, several ODAC seniors were having strong starts to their seasons. Below are those that ranked inside the ODAC's top-five at the close of the season.

Batting Leaders

  • Bridgewater's Stephanie Carroll was T-2nd in doubles (4) and T-4th in hits (20)
  • Emory & Henry's Alex Thomas was T-3rd in homers (4)
  • Emory & Henry's Leanna Toler ws T-5th in stolen bases (13)
  • Guilford's Natalie Conrad was 5th in runs (16)
  • Guilford's Kayli Scott was T-3rd in triples (2)
  • Randolph-Macon's Shelby Hill was 4th in runs (17) and T-5th in stolen bases (13)
  • Roanoke's Brooke Trapuzzano was T-2nd in doubles (5)
  • VWU's Jessica Goldyn was T-2nd in doubles (5) and stolen bases (16) and 3rd in batting avg. (.485) and on-base pct. (.585)

Pitching Leaders

  • Ferrum's Ashton Lambeth was T-3rd in wins (6) and T-5th in complete games (5)
  • Randolph's Abbi Pannill was 1st in saves (2) and 4th in strikeouts/7 IP (7.32)
  • VWU's Hanna Hull led the ODAC in wins (8), shutouts (4), strikeouts (66), strikeouts/7 IP (9.76), and ERA (0.15), was 2nd in opponent's batting average (.132), 4th in innings pitched (47.1), and T-5th in complete games (5)

RELATED: ODAC Statistical Leaders -- Batting | Pitching

All-ODAC awards for the class of 2020 are numerous with 26 all-league laurels plus six special awards. Three players earned All-ODAC honors all three seasons. Hull leads that list with three first team nods in addition to three straight ODAC Pitcher of the Year awards and the 2017 ODAC Rookie of the Year plaque. Lynchburg infielders Sarah Commons and Kayla Hugate account for the remaining two three-time All-ODAC honorees. Commons was third team at second base in 2017 and earned second team honors at designated player and second base in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Hugate was second team at shorstop in all three seasons.

Virginia Wesleyan's list of All-ODAC honorees includes all three remaining Marlin seniors. Glaubke was a first team outfielder the last two seasons as well as the 2018 ODAC Player of the Year. Duplain was first team at third base in 2017 and third team as a shortstop in 2019. Goldyn earned a 2019 first team spot as a utility player.

Lynchburg's crew of all-league honorees is capped by pitcher Alex Cisar. She was a third team choice last year.

Four of Randolph-Macon's six seniors earned all-conference hardware. Catcher Sami Davidson was a first teamer in 2018 and a third team choice last year. Maddie Stone was first team at second base in 2019 with third baseman Taylor Sanderford on last season's third team. Outfielder Shelby Hill was a third team pick in 2018.

Emory & Henry and Guilford feature a pair of All-ODAC seniors each. Lyndsay Boyd was a third team selection as the Wasps second baseman in 2018, and shortstop Leanna Toler earned a second team assignment in 2019. Outfielder Katie Scott (née Blankenship) received first team recognition in 2017, while fellow outfielder Natalie Conrad was a third teamer in 2019 as well as the co-ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The remaining All-ODAC senior wears Bridgewater College colors. Third baseman Stepanie Carroll was a first honoree in 2018 and picked up third team laurels in 2019.

RELATED: All-ODAC Awards -- 2017 | 2018 | 2019

Several players earned distinction from the NFCA during their careers. Hull was a three-time First Team All-American in addition to being named the 2018 Division III Player and Rookie of the Year as well as the 2018 Division III Player of the Year. The 22-time ODAC Pitcher of the Week has a healthy list of accolades showcasing her pedigree. Some additional highlights include NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player recognition after leading VWU to national titles in 2017 and 2018 as well as the ODAC Tournament M.O.P. all three seasons.

The NFCA also names all-region teams each year. In 2017, Hull was named to the All-Atlantic Region first team, while Scott earned a second team spot. In 2018, Hull was joined on the first team by Davidson, while Commons and Glaubke were tabbed to the second team. In 2019, Hull was again a first team honoree with Glaubke a second teamer and Duplain and Goldyn as third teamers.

RELATED: NFCA Awards Platform

Showcased below are graphics and/or videos introducing you to each of the softball players from the class of 2020. Click on a graphic or one of the links below a video to be sent to that player's bio to learn more about them. Be sure to check out the senior features published by ODAC member athletic departments throughout the spring.

For more on ODAC softball, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and following @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.