Pioneer Softball members earn NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete Award

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Over 4,000 softball student-athletes from across seven different divisions have been tabbed as 2012-13 NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes, the Association announced on Monday. Spartanburg Methodist College placed six student-athletes on the NFCA list. 

Former Pioneers Alexa Ritchie  now playing at Presbyterian College topped the list with a 4.0 gpa for 2012-13, Lacy Smith(3.903) and Lindsay Gore(3.885) are now playing softball at Newberry College. Nikki Bedenbaugh (3.541) is attending College of Charleston as a member of the Cougar Cheerleading squad.

Current members of the Pioneer Softball team,  Alex Oliver (3.700) and Sarah Gambrill(3.541) joined the list for the 2012-2013 school year.  

For a complete listing of all NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes, please visit the divisional breakdowns by school HERE.

The award is bestowed upon any player submitted by a member coach who achieved a 3.50 grade point average or higher during the 2012-13 academic year.  The honor marks the second component of the Association's academic award program.  Back in late September the squads with the highest GPAs in each membership category were recognized as 2013 NFCA Top Ten All-Academic Teams.

The membership category with the most participating institutions this year proved to be Division I with 160. Division III was second by boasting 158 teams and Division II ranked third with 102.