Five softball student-athletes placed on CSC Academic All-District Team

The Muskingum softball team landed five student-athletes on the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team for their outstanding performance on both the field and classroom this year. Seniors Claire Guilliams, Sarah Piteo, Hannah Smith, Haley Hawk, and junior Madelyn Thomas have all been honored for their academic excellence. 

Guilliams, a Health Education and Middle Childhood Education major, and two-time All-OAC honoree, finished the season with a .355 batting average and a career-best 38 hits. She also notched five doubles, and tallied career-highs in runs scored (37), home runs (4), stolen bases (6). 

Piteo, a Biology major, secured her first All-OAC accolade after she finished with a .365 batting average, which was third-best on team. Piteo also finished with a career-best 35 hits, six doubles, two home runs, and 22 RBIs. 

Smith, a Master of Arts and Education major, and four-time All-OAC honoree, finished the season posting a team-best and career-low 2.17 ERA. This season, Smith tallied a team-best and conference second in wins (16) and strikeouts (132) and held opposing batters to a .219 batting average.

Hawk, an Adult Education major, and four-time All-OAC honoree, finished the season with a .330 batting average and team-best five home runs. Hawk concluded her 2023 campaign with 38 hits, three doubles and 23 RBIs. She also registered a .386 on-base percentage and .487 slugging percentage.

Thomas, an Early Childhood and Special Education major, finished the season with 11 wins in the circle posted a 2.33 ERA. Thomas fired 92 strikeouts in 111.1 innings of action while holding opposing batters to a .252 batting average.

To be nominated for Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must be a starter or significant contributor to their team, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher, and reach sophomore athletic and academic standing at the school. As a result of their All-District nominations, Guilliams, Piteo, Smith, Hawk, and Thomas will advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. The Academic All-America Team will be announced in June.