Senior pitcher Joni Russell set a Great Midwest Athletic Conference record with her 24th career shutout on Saturday, and broke a 35-year-old Hillsdale record by earning her 66th career win on the same day. She now has 67 wins to her name.

On Tuesday, she set a new school record in innings pitched, reaching her 600th inning in her college career, and breaking the previous record of 593 innings. Junior Emma Sather also matched the 1991 Hillsdale single-season bases stolen record with her 31st stolen base.  

Russell was awarded the G-MAC softball Athlete of the Week for the second consecutive week and fifth time this season. This is the 13th time in her career she has received this award. 

“​​It was a great way to cap off senior day,” Russell said. “It was probably one of my favorite games to pitch at sunny Johnny Williams not only because I broke two records, but becauseI could feel the love and support from my friends, coaches and family that day. College softball is not easy, and it comes with its many challenges, but I have been able to persevere and grow as a person and athlete because of the people beside me.”

Director of Athletics John Tharp said these records showcase Russell’s commitment over the last four years.

“The record tells you her greatness, not for one year, not for two years, but in her four years here,” Tharp said. “It represents how she’s gotten better every single year. And I think it just talks about her dedication to the sport, to her physical ability. But I also think it just demonstrates her mental strength as well, that she’s done that for four straight years, and she keeps on getting better and better.”

Head coach Kyle Gross said he thinks Russell has the chance of being inducted into the Charger Hall of Fame in the future. 

“I think she’s solidified herself in the history books here at Hillsdale, and even some of the other pitchers that may be in there before, they have a couple records,” Gross said. “But I think another record she might hold is that she holds the most records.”

The Chargers went 4-2 in their week of competition. On Friday, they beat the Ohio Dominican University Panthers in the first game 4-1 and lost the second game 6-3. Then, on Saturday for Senior Day, they beat the Eagles in both games of the series, 8-0 in the first game in five innings and 6-0 in the second game. Russell broke the shutout record and Renae Schaffner’s ’90 career wins record in the games against the Eagles. The Chargers then split their doubleheader against the Malone University Pioneers on Tuesday, winning the first game 3-0 and dropping the second 13-3 in six innings. 

“We played probably our best two games of the year on Senior Day,” Gross said. “And I think it had a lot to do just with the energy and the support from the underclassmen for their seniors. That was a theme throughout the day too, but all the seniors contributed offensively or defensively that game, and it was really neat to see. It was one of our best senior days.”

The Chargers are No. 3 in the G-MAC and have clinched a spot in the Great Midwest Softball Tournament April 30-May 3. The Chargers have a 15-5 conference record. They are ranked No. 4 in the NCAA Division II Midwest regional standings. 

The Chargers will face the Cedarville University Yellow Jackets away on April 24 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. They will then play an away doubleheader against the Walsh University Cavaliers on April 26 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

“There’s a lot about Joni and a lot about some of these other things,” Gross said. “But our team, as in the team itself, is doing really well right now with the fourth regional ranking and we just need to continue to play at that level.”