Van Wychen Sets NCAA Division III Softball Hitting Streak Record

     UW-Stevens Point senior centerfielder Jill Van Wychen led off Sunday�s game against UW-River Falls with a bunt single to extend her hitting streak to an NCAA Division III softball record 34 consecutive games.

     The former Freedom High School standout followed that performance with hits in games against UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stout to extend the streak to 36 straight games.

     Her current hitting streak surpasses the previous record of 33 games held by Angie Adams of Adrian (Mich.) during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. The games were part of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference cluster weekend at Wakanda Park in Menomonie.

     The Pointers lost all three games on Sunday, falling to UW-River Falls 8-6, UW-Eau Claire 12-0 and UW-Stout 5-4. They are now 21-15 heading into next weekend�s WIAC tournament in Platteville.

     Van Wychen has hits in every game of this season, including 82 of her last 88 games. The last time she failed to get a hit was last year�s season finale against UW-Whitewater. For her career, she has hits in 113 of her 128 games with at least one official at-bat.

     Van Wychen is now chasing the NCAA all-divisions record of 43 games held by Sara Graziano of Coastal Carolina, though the Pointers would have to win the WIAC tournament and reach the NCAA Division III tournament for her to have a chance.

Longest NCAA Division III Softball Hitting Streaks
No., Player, Team, Dates
36, Jill Van Wychen, UW-Stevens Point, March 16, 2003-current
33, Angie Adams, Adrian (Mich.), March 21, 1997-1998
32, Lisa Cancilla, Chapman (Calif.), Mar. 19-May 10, 1996
30, Jessamine Maiben, Chapman (Calif.), May 11, 1995-March 22, 1996
30, Sue Schrader, Nebraska Wesleyan, May 13, 1993-April 22, 1994