Oct. 3, 2006

STARKVILLE, Miss. - According to figures released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, the Baylor softball team posted the ninth-highest grade point average in the nation and was the only team in the country to finish academically and athletically in the top 25.

For the 2005-06 academic year, the Baylor softball team posted a team GPA of 3.409 to rank ninth in the nation and was only one of two Big 12 Conference teams in the top 50 according to a list of team GPAs released by the NFCA.

"Our team understands the importance of hard work in the classroom as well as hard work on the field," head coach Glenn Moore said. "Every athlete understands that they are here to get an education first; and, the team GPA shows that each athlete takes a great deal of pride in succeeding in the classroom as well as on the field."

The academic honor is just one of several for the Lady Bears during the 2005-06 school year. This past season, outfielder Kelly Osburn was named a third-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America while Osburn and Chelsi Lake were both named to the academic all-district squad.

In addition, six Baylor softball players were named academic all-conference this past year.

Baylor continues its fall season this weekend as the Lady Bears host the 2006 Baylor Fall Tournament.

Baylor opens play on Friday, Oct. 6, at 2:00 p.m. against Temple CC before a 4:00 p.m. contest against Oklahoma City. The Lady Bears will continue play on Saturday, Oct. 7, against Seminole JC (11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) and McLennan CC (5:00 p.m.).

All Baylor games will be played at Getterman Stadium.