NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- After a stellar opening weekend in a doubleheader sweep of Hope, senior shortstop Kayla Lorenz snagged the first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Hitter of the Week honors for the 2026 season on Monday afternoon.

Lorenz, now a four-year starting shortstop for North Park Softball, had a sensational start to the new season. Enjoying a home doubleheader in February, Lorenz went 2-for-4 with a pair of triples against the Flying Dutch in game one, driving in three runners while scoring one herself. She extended that effort in a come-from-behind win in game two, going 2-for-3 with three runs scored and another triple. Her two-triple game on Friday marked just the third time in program history that a Viking had multiple triples in a game.

In total, Lorenz went 4-for-7 with 6 RBI, 3 triples, a walk, and 4 runs scored through the doubleheader sweep. She's now tied for second all-time at North Park with 13 career triples, passing head coach Katie Anderson's 12 on Friday.

This is the first CCIW Player of the Week honor for North Park Softball since March of 2022 where current assistant coach Alyssa Aragon and Alyssa Malicki were both recognized.