Four Titans Named CSC’s Softball Academic All-District List

Grace Wilkens advances to Academic All-America ballot

5/26/2026 11:00:00 AM

GREENFIELD, Ind. - The Illinois Wesleyan University softball team saw four garner spots on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team released by the organization Tuesday, May 26. Junior Mallory Holland (Shelbyville, Ill.-Shelbyville) as well as sophomore outfielders Grace Wilkens (Bartlett, Ill.-Bartlett), Riley McDoniel (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg), and Julia Wilkens (Bartlett, Ill.-Bartlett) represented the Green and White on the list, with Grace Wilkens advancing to the Academic All-America ballot.

Earning the honor for the second straight season, Holland made 20 appearances in the circle for the Titans with 10 starts. She posted a 7-6 overall record alongside an earned run average of 2.75, good for second-best on the team. Holland tossed 61 innings and struck out 30, while limiting opponents to a .252 clip. She threw three complete games and one shutout. Holland holds a 3.80 grade point average as a marketing major.

Grace Wilkens, a human highlight-reel in center field, carries a 4.00 grade point average. A finance major, she started all 43 games as the Green and White's leadoff hitter. She batted .343 on the year with 47 hits and a team-high 37 runs scored. The Bartlett, Ill. native led the team with a career-high 24 stolen bases and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. She was named to the Waverly Regional All-Tournament team, Second Team All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, and was the recipient of the CCIW's Elite 26 Award. A Gold Glove candidate, Wilkens tallied 10 multi-hit games.

McDoniel, who staked claim to IWU's starting right fielder slot, hit .240 in her first year as an everyday starter. She notched 25 hits with 15 runs scored and another 15 driven in, while swiping seven bases in eight attempts. She posted multiple hits on seven occasions. McDoniel turned in an impressive CCIW Tournament, going 7-for-8 at the plate over three games to help lead IWU to the championship. She earns the honor for the first time in her career and maintains a 3.92 GPA while studying kinesiology & allied health.

Julia Wilkens, a finance major with a 3.98 grade point average, took hold to the starting job in left field. The sophomore hit .244 over 43 games played, making 36 starts. She stole 13 bases in 14 attempts and walked 10 times against six strikeouts. Julia Wilkens played hero as Illinois Wesleyan walked off a win against Calvin, March 27, behind the sophomore's RBI single. She recorded three multi-hit games and reached base safely in 28 of 36 starts.

Illinois Wesleyan finished the season with a 31-15 record on the year. IWU claimed the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Regular Season Championship with a 15-1 league record, and went on to claim the league's tournament title and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Titans advanced to the championship game of the Waverly Regional, before bowing out with a 6-4 loss to No. 2 University of Redlands.

Grace Wilkens advances to the ballot for CSC Academic All-America. The teams will be unveiled Tuesday, June 16.

Print Friendly Version