Wheaton College (Ill.) Student Kelly Thornton Named First Team All-Conference and All-Conference Batting Champion

2017 May 16

Wheaton College softball player Kelly Thornton of Carol Stream, Illinois was recognized as First Team All-Conference by the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). Thornton was also honored as the CCIW Batting Champion.

Thornton led the CCIW with a .458 (22-for-48) batting average in 16 conference games this season to earn the conference's "Batting Champion" award. In Wheaton's league games, Thornton posted a .729 slugging percentage as she hit five doubles, one triple and two home runs in league play. The sophomore drove in 10 runs in conference play, scored nine runs and stole four bases.

Overall on the season, Thornton hit for a .393 (35-for-89) batting average in 32 games this year. She registered a .596 slugging percentage with six doubles, three triples and two home runs. Thornton scored 16 runs on the year with 18 RBI. She made just three errors at first base this season on 291 total chances for a .990 fielding percentage.

Wheaton College sponsors 21 varsity sports, and Thunder teams compete at the NCAA Division III level. The Thunder Athletics program has won five NCAA Division III Championships since 1984, and Wheaton student-athletes have won 31 Division III individual National Championships all-time. For more information, visit athletics.wheaton.edu.

Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.) is a coeducational Christian liberal arts college noted for its rigorous academics, integration of faith and learning, and consistent ranking among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. For more information, visit wheaton.edu.