APPLETON, Wis. -- The Lawrence University softball team knocked it out of the park when it came to academic awards from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
    The Vikings posted one of the nation's top grade point averages among NCAA Division III schools and 11 players earned the title of Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete. The 11 individual awards match the team record set in 2023. To be eligible for the individual award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average for the academic year. 
    Lawrence had a team grade point average of 3.55 for the 2023-24 academic year, and that ranked 56th in the nation. Lawrence was one of two teams from the Midwest Conference to make the cut among the nation's top teams.
    Two players, Mary Boyle (Chicago, Ill./St. Ignatius) and Laney Martens (Snowmass Village, Colo./Aspen), earned the honor for the fourth consecutive season. Boyle, a senior catcher, earned her degree in English literature. Martens, a senior outfielder who also stars in hockey for the Vikings, earned a degree in biology.
    Picking up the honor for the third time were Mattigan Haller (Eau Claire, Wis./North), Khayla Santiago (Morton Grove, Ill./Maine East) and Taylor Hughes (Wausau, Wis./West). Haller, an All-Midwest Conference catcher for the Vikings, is a double major in biochemistry and Spanish. Santiago, a junior outfielder, is a neuroscience major. Hughes, a junior infielder, is an English (creative writing) major. 
    Winning the award for the second time are Lizzy Angemi (Hesperia, Calif./Sultana), Janessa Gonzalez (Elk Grove Village, Ill./James B. Conant), Kourtney Mercer (Mazomanie, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) and Adrie Villa (Chino, Calif./Don Antonio Lugo). Angemi, a senior pitcher, earned a degree in environmental studies. Gonzalez, a sophomore infielder, is a biology major. Mercer, a junior pitcher/infielder, is also a biology major. Villa, a sophomore outfielder, is an English (creative writing) major. 
    Earning the honor for the first time were Jordan Wallin-Swanson (Georgetown, Ky./Great Crossing) and Avery Chilson (Lake Mills, Wis./Lake Mills). Wallin-Swanson, a junior infielder, is a double major in business and entrepreneurship and theatre arts. Chilson, a first-year pitcher and All-Midwest Conference selection, is undecided on a major.
    Over the past 21 seasons, Lawrence has had 84 student-athletes receive All-America Scholar-Athlete honors from the NFCA.