Contact: Sam Fretto, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, sjfretto@noctrl.edu

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Mar. 16, 2026)- The North Central College softball team has been the recipient of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Pitcher of the Week award for a second time this season, as Sam Schilf has been named the winner for a second consecutive week for her efforts from Mar. 9 to Mar. 14. The conference announced the winner on Monday at 3 p.m.

The senior pitcher made six starts in seven appearances and collected three wins in the 10 possible games North Central played in Florida. In 36 innings pitched, Schilf posted a 2.33 ERA while striking out 24 batters and held opponents to a .267 batting average against. 

On Mar. 10, Schilf pitched against Blackburn College, where she went six innings, giving up just one run on six hits. She struck out three batters. Later in the week, on Mar. 14, Schilf blanked Augsburg University in a 7-0 victory where she pitched six innings, giving up just two hits and striking out five. 

This season, Schilf has made 10 appearances, starting in eight games with a 3-3 record. In 51.1 innings pitched, Schilf has a season ERA of 2.73, going the distance three times while striking out 37 batters and while keeping opponents to a batting average of .263. She ranks top of the conference in innings pitched, sixth in ERA, and third in strikeouts. 

Softball's home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, when #20 Illinois Wesleyan University comes to town for a CCIW doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m., with the second game to begin at 5 p.m.