Hall of Fame
For more than a decade, the College’s softball program dominated the competition on the field, and Jeanne Hengemuhle was a major contributor to that success.
The four-year letter winner played for the Lions from 1989-92 and during that time the program reeled in a pair of NCAA Division III National Championships (1989 and 1992) and placed second the other two years. During that time span, she played on teams that racked up 171 victories and tied a school record with 48 wins in her final season. Those 48 wins in a season also puts them in a tie for the NCAA mark.
Hengemuhle started every game during her career and the first baseman and was an offensive force for the Lions at the plate. Her best overall season came in 1991 as junior when she batted a lofty .445, with a school and NCAA record 17 triples. She had 77 total hits that season and scored 62 times while knocking in 39 runs. Her effort didn’t go unnoticed as she was named an All-America First Team in addition to being the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year.
She also made her final season a special one as the Lions won their second national title in her tenure. Hengemuhle, who served as a team captain, again carried a hot bat as she collected a .447 average on 72 hits with 57 runs scored and 29 RBI. Once the season was over, she earned All-America First Team honors for the second straight year.
In addition to her record for the most triples in a season, Hengemuhle also holds the career mark for triples with 32 and the most at bats in a career with 653, which is also an NCAA record. Her career numbers are staggering, as she finished with a .400 batting average, 261 hits, 195 runs scored, and 110 RBI.
Once her playing career was over, she remained with the program as a graduate assistant as she earned her master’s degree from the College.
Just as she excelled in softball, Hengemuhle has carried that success into her professional career in the New Jersey State Police. She has been a trooper for nine years and currently holds the rank of sergeant and works in the Public Information Unit.
She is also active in the community as the vice president of Lady/Team Blue & Gold, which is an organization dedicated to the concept of “team volunteerism” in fund-raising and community service activities benefitting various groups.
