Sept. 30, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell softball team was honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Monday for its success in the classroom. The Bison were ranked 10th among NCAA Division I schools on the Girls Got Game Top Ten All-Academic Teams with a 2007-08 team grade-point average of 3.402.
Bucknell was the only Patriot League member recognized by the NFCA. The 2008 softball team also had 12 student-athletes named to the Patriot League's Academic Honor Roll in July, the most from any school. The Bison were led by then-senior Erin Curatola, who was named the 2008 Patriot League Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and current junior Lauren Trosch, who earned a 4.0 GPA.
Tennessee Tech, Gardner-Webb and Seton Hall were the top three teams recognized by the NFCA.
The Bison lost three seniors from last year's squad but are returning a core of decorated players for 2009. Led by the 2008 Patriot League Coach of the Year Heather Rakosik, the incoming team will feature All-Patriot League first-team honorees Elyse Colmenero and Cassie Lloyd and second-team selection Mary Pavlovich. The Bison's 2009 season gets underway at the Campbell Tournament Feb. 13-14 in Buies Creek, N.C.
