Softball Duo Earns Academic All-American
6/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
June 7, 2001
Baylor's Naomi Fitzgerald and Ryan Stukel were named to the 2001 Verizon Academic All-American Softball Teams it was announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Fitzgerald and Stukel were two of four Big 12 softball players included on the list, Iowa State's Kristin Ferguson and Nebraska's Jamie Fuente earned third-team honors.
The Verizon Academic All-America Teams are selected by a vote of the 1,800-member CoSIDA. To be eligible, an athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 on a scale of 4.00. Sports information directors nominate eligible athletes from their schools who are named to district teams prior to being voted upon on the national level. CoSIDA has been selecting Academic All-America teams since 1952.
Fitzgerald, a native of College Grove, Tenn., was named first-team Academic All-American for the second straight season. She maintains a 3.67 GPA in sociology and secondary education. The senior center fielder, a four-year starter in the outfield, finished her career at Baylor as the program's leading hitter holding the team records for most hits in a season (76), most career hits (247) and career batting average (.341). She hit .353 this season and led the team in hits (66), doubles (9), triples (3) and on base percentage (.413). She also was named second-team All-Big 12, All-Midwest Region first team, first-team Academic All-Big 12 and first-team Academic All-District VI.
Stukel, a junior catcher, carries a 3.65 GPA while majoring in health science and secondary education. She led the team in hitting this season with a mark of .356 to land second team kudos. She hit a team-high eight home runs and maintained a slugging percentage of .565. She also led the team in runs batted in with 36. The Cochise, Ariz., native also was named second-team All-Big 12, all-region second team, first-team Academic All-Big 12 and academic all-District VI.
Under the guidance of head coach Glenn Moore, in his first year at Baylor, Baylor finished the season with a mark of 38-22 which tied the program's record for most victories in a season and also set a new record for consecutive wins (11). In addition, the Lady Bears were ranked nationally for seven weeks this season, checking in as high as 19th.
