CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) softball teams competed in week one of the 2026 season.
Athletes of the Week:
Pitcher of the Week:
Raegan Gibson (Louisville, Ky.) Transylvania University | Pitcher | Senior -
Raegan Gibson earned the win in the circle in both Transylvania victories she appeared in this weekend. Against Coe, she pitched seven innings and only allowed two hits and one run. She also recorded six strikeouts. Against Spalding, she fanned nine in seven innings pitched, only allowing four hits and one run.
Notable Performances:
- Grace Gronberg (Danville, Ohio) Bluffton University | Pitcher | Sophomore - Gronberg had a day for the Beavers, going 4-for-4 with two homers, a double, and eight RBI. The two long balls equaled Bluffton's single-game record, while the eight RBI was just one shy of the school mark. She finished the week going 4-of-8 (.500) with 2 homers, eight RBI, a double, and four runs scored. She slugged a whopping 1.375 and finished with a .500 on-base percentage. In the circle, she went 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 9.1 innings of work across two games for Bluffton. She struck out 10 batters and allowed just 10 hits in a complete game.
- Bo Shelton (Anderson, Ind.) Earlham College | Infielder | Junior - Bo Shelton led Earlham in a 3-1 weekend against Elmhurst and St. Mary's. The junior infielder went 7-for-10 (.700) with three doubles, five RBI, and nine runs scored. Shelton went 2-for-2 on stolen base attempts and earned two walks with zero strikeouts.
- Shelby Messer (Pendleton, Ind.) Earlham College | Pitcher | Sophomore - Shelby Messer recorded her first complete game on Friday against Elmhurst. The sophomore threw five scoreless frames for a shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out six.
- Ashley Fulton (Hanover, Ind.) Hanover College | Pitcher/Outfielder | Sophomore - Ashley Fulton led Hanover as it headed south to Texas, taking on Mary Hardin-Baylor, Schreiner, Southwestern, and Trinity. The sophomore was strong at the dish tallying five RBI on seven hits with two runs scored. She posted a .304 batting average including one double.
- Lulu Van Beek (Noblesville, Ind.) Hanover College | Pitcher | Sophomore - Lulu Van Beek posted a 2-2 week as the Panthers hit the road for Texas. She pitched 24 complete innings with 19 strikeouts.
- Clare Lopeman (Richmond, Ind.) Mount St. Joseph University | Pitcher | Sophomore - Clare Lopeman appeared in two games over the weekend for Mount St. Joseph, including a complete game win. In the Lions win over Pfeiffer, she went the distance allowing eight hits and two earned runs, while striking out four. She then threw 2 1/3 innings of relief on Sunday against Piedmont, allowing only a single hit, while striking out one.
Looking Forward:
HCAC Softball Standings
Around the League:
HCAC Softball Schedule
