Softball garners NFCA academic recognition

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorback softball team has been honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as a Top 25 Division I All-Academic team for the 2007-08 academic year. Arkansas also had ten student-athletes named to the NFCA Scholar-Athlete list.

“This is a great honor for our team,” head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “We have reached one of our team goals by being ranked a top-25 All-Academic team. This speaks to the hard work of our student-athletes, not just on the field, but also in the classroom.”

Arkansas’ team grade point average of 3.314 ranked at No. 22 for last season. The Razorbacks are one of four Southeastern Conference teams positioned inside the top 25 and one of the six conference teams ranked in the top 30.

Jessica Bachkora, Becca Carden, Miranda Dixon, Hillary Freeman, Katy Henry, Amie Hubbard, Dayna Huckabee, Layne McGuirt, Jocelyne Moncrief and Sandra Smith add NFCA scholar-athlete honors to their respective resumes. With ten academic selections, Pinkerton increases his tally of NFCA scholar athletes to 37 during his coaching career.

The national recognition comes on the heels of Arkansas having 13 student-athletes named to the 2008 SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll. For the NFCA scholar-athlete selection, each individual must carry a 3.5 grade point average.

On the field, the Razorbacks open their 2009 season, Feb. 6-8, at the Southern Miss Invitational in Hattiesburg, Miss. Arkansas opens its home schedule, Feb. 27, on day one of the Holiday Inn-NWA Razorback Invitational. For more news about UA softball, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.