RIPON, Wisconsin – After a record-setting 2024 campaign, Kayla Cruz of the Ripon softball program has been named a first team All-Midwest Conference first baseman as announced by the league on Saturday afternoon.
 
Cruz was outstanding for Ripon all season long. The sophomore put together a 16-game hitting streak from April 10 until May 1 and had 16 multi-hit games (out of 33 played). The Anaheim, California native was third in the Midwest Conference in batting average (.460) and set a program record with 17 doubles, leading the entire league. She was also top-five in the MWC in a host of categories: OPS (fourth - 1.125), hits (fourth - 52), slugging percentage (fourth - .637) and on-base percentage (fifth - .488).
 
Cruz led Ripon in every offensive category – OPS, hits, doubles, home runs (1), RBI (25), total bases (72), slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Her 2024 postseason honor marks the eighth consecutive season with an All-Midwest Conference performer for the Red Hawks.
 
The full all-conference list is below.
 
First Team
Pitcher Julia Drake, Illinois College
Pitcher Christin Hartman, Grinnell
Catcher Miranda Keith, Cornell
1B Kayla Cruz, Ripon
2B Kelly College, Lake Forest
SS Hannah Dykstra, Grinnell
3B Samantha Chu, Grinnell
OF Taylor Durak, Grinnell
OF Kaia Mismash, Lake Forest
OF Siddalee Meyers, Beloit
DP Jaycie Edwards, Illinois College
UT Kyla Chevalier, Lake Forest
At-Large Kayla Collins, Lake Forest
At-Large Peyton Souhrada, Cornell
At-Large Alexa Okada, Grinnell
 
Second Team
Pitcher Kathryn Vermeulen, Grinnell
Pitcher Avery Chilson, Lawrence
Catcher Brooke Loveall, Illinois College
1B Calynn Gicante, Illinois College
2B Karleigh Ashby, Monmouth
SS Kaylee Purgatorio, Lake Forest
3B Cadence Dempsey, Lake Forest
OF Addie Bowman, Cornell
OF Elysia Hand, Illinois College
OF Emmie Nyen, Lake Forest
UT Mattigan Haller, Lawrence
At-Large Savannah Powers, Monmouth
At-Large Maddie Hicks, Knox
At-Large Kami Anson, Grinnell
At-Large Elise Oleson, Cornell

Pitcher of the Year: Julia Drake, Illinois College
Position Player of the Year: Taylor Durak, Grinnell
Newcomer of the Year: Kaia Mismash, Lake Forest
Team Sportsmanship Award: Beloit
 
Ripon finished its season 11-25 and 5-11 in Midwest Conference play.
 
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