Search

Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College Athletics
 33 E. College St. Hillsdale, MI 49242
Division 2 Michigan Midwest
Private Small Competitive team
I'm interested in this program!

Coaches

Email coach

Kyle Gross

In just five seasons with the Hillsdale College softball program, head coach Kyle Gross has led the program to heights it hasn't seen in nearly three decades.


In 2019, his first season leading the Chargers, Gross took the team to the rarefied air of a second-straight Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament championship. Coming from the #8 seed, Gross and the Chargers won the 2019 G-MAC tournament, earning a second straight bid to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional.


After a shortened season in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Gross and the Chargers had a historic season in 2021 -- the team's 33 wins was the program's most since 1991, and the third-most in school history. Hillsdale made the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years, and just the fifth time since the program joined NCAA Division II in 1990, and the Chargers won multiple NCAA tournament games in the same postseason for the first time ever. Gross also helped to develop senior second baseman Sam Catron into just the fourth All-American in program history, and the first to earn the distinction from both coaches and media, in 2021.


Despite significant graduation losses, Hillsdale followed up the 2021 campaign with another momentous season in 2022, winning 32 games and earning the program's first regular season conference championship since 1991 after clinching the crown with a four-run rally in the final inning to beat Findlay on the road on the final day of the season.


In 2023, Gross posted another stellar campaign, guiding a young team to 35 wins, the most during his six-year tenure with the Chargers. Led by a stellar pitching staff that set a new G-MAC record and finished in the top 10 in the nation with a team ERA of 1.77, Hillsdale won the G-MAC Tournament title and reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the past six seasons. Gross also became the first Hillsdale softball coach to produce multiple All-Americans during his tenure, as sophomore pitcher Joni Russell was named to All-American teams by both the coaches and the media after a record-setting 2023 season.


Gross came to Hillsdale after serving as an assistant coach at two different Division I institutions in recent years: Presbyterian College and Kent State University. He served as the interim head coach at the University of Toledo for the 2013-14 school year.


“I would like to thank Mr. Don Brubacher, Rich Pewe and the hiring committee for the opportunity to coach at Hillsdale College,” Gross said. “There is a culture of excellence and virtue at Hillsdale College and within the softball program I am honored and excited to become a part of. I recognize the privilege and responsibility in leading such a tremendous program and I cannot wait to get started.”


In his year as interim coach at Toledo, Gross made his mark on the Rockets’ program, guiding it to its best record in eight seasons while ending long winless droughts against programs like Central Michigan and Ball State. That 2014 Toledo team was also the first to post a winning record at home since 1997.


His coaching journey has also included stops at Walsh University and Heath City High School in Ohio.


In addition to his coaching positions, Gross has extensive experience at softball camps and clinics, highlighted by six years spent as former U.S. Olympian Crystl Busto’s hitting instructor at camps she hosted. He worked closely with Busto to develop strong hitting mechanics in camp and clinic participants. He’s also worked as a softball official at the high school and Division I college levels.


“Coach Gross brings a wealth of experience in softball and leadership training to Hillsdale College and the athletic department,” said Don Brubacher, Director of Athletics. “We are confident he will contribute to the mission of the college and provide excellent management and coaching for the softball team.”


Gross coached the Cincy Doom Gold 18U ASA Gold and Heath Crush travel softball teams for a total of six years, building strong programs in a highly competitive geographic area of the Midwest region.


Prior to entering the coaching profession, Gross was a police officer in the city of Newark, Ohio for 15 years. He received commendations for his service record and was a 10-year member of a tactical team.


Gross lives in Hillsdale with his wife, Lorri. Together they have raised two children: Kylie, who is an assistant coach with Kent State softball team, and Kodey.

show more
Email coach

Ericka Hess

Ericka Hess joined the Chargers coaching staff in November of 2022 as the program's lead assistant under head coach Kyle Gross, bringing a wealth of experience in softball to the role to help Hillsdale continue a strong recent run in the sport.


In her first season with the Chargers in 2023, Hess was part of an impressive campaign, as the team finished with 35 wins, its most since 1991, won the G-MAC Tournament for the third time in six years, and made its fourth NCAA DII Tournament appearance in six years as well.


“To get to coach at a place like Hillsdale was a big part of why I pursued this job, and the more I learned about this place, the more it felt like a great fit and a place I really wanted to call home,” Hess said. “The chance to work with Coach Kyle (Gross) is another thing I’m really excited about; I think the culture he’s built here and the things he’s accomplished in a short time are outstanding.


“I’m excited to get to work here, I think there’s a lot I can learn as I look to continue to grow as a coach, and some things I can contribute as well to help add to the success of this program, on and off the field.”


A four-year utility player at NCAA Division III Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania from 2016 to 2019, Hess started 99 games for the Golden Tornadoes at second base and in the outfield, hitting .313 as a junior and senior with 13 RBIs and posting a perfect fielding percentage as a senior.


During the 2019 season, as a senior, Hess helped Geneva reach the four-team PAC Tournament for the first time since 2014, posting a 9-7 record in conference play.


Since graduating from Geneva College with a Bachelor's of Science in both Psychology and Human Services that spring, Hess stayed active in softball in a variety of ways.


She served as the head varsity coach at Iroquois High School in her hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, helping hold the Braves together through the Covid-19 pandemic, and leading Iroquois to a seven-win improvement over the previous spring in 2022.


Hess also worked as a softball trainer at the Erie Elite Athletic Academy since 2019, gaining experience in skill development and individual instruction, and served as a scout for the Dominican Republic national women’s softball team since 2020.


Her experience as a player, scout, coach and instructor give her a wide base of skills and knowledge to draw on in her first coaching job at the collegiate level.


“For someone so young to have so much experience with the game of softball, and from so many different angles, Erika really stands out,” Gross said. “During the interview process, I was really struck by her passion for the game and her desire to grow as a coach and to keep learning and improving her craft every day.


“I think she’s going to be a great fit for Hillsdale, and she’s well-positioned to help us take our program to new heights.”

show more

College Bound Athletes

Showcase Tips

Are you ready for your next college showcase?
The site worked great for the tournaments I used it for. I had many coaches respond to my contacting them. The site helped me develop confidence in getting through the recruiting process.
- Katia SandovalWhat are others saying?