Five Jackets Earn NFCA Academic All-America Honors

STARKVILLE, Miss. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced its girls got game Academic All-American list, based on the 2007-08 academic year. The Defiance College softball team had five individuals earn recognition, as Kayla Crager, Robin Diers, Justine Johnston, Becky Petrie and Tasha Stucke each garnered NFCA Academic All-American status.

Through this program, the NFCA honors collegiate softball teams for their success on the playing field and in the classroom. In order to be eligible for this award, the athlete must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Crager, a three-year starter in the infield, started all 42 games for the Jackets last season. She led the team in bases on balls (16), while finishing fourth in hits (26). The first baseman helped anchor the HCAC's top defense, leading the team with 258 putouts. Crager posted a 3.85 grade-point average last semester, majoring in criminal justice.

Diers pitched in 12 games for Defiance last season, earning the start in six of those contests. Over the course of her four-year playing career, she tallied 20 victories. She holds DC's career record for saves with three, while also having set the single-season record with two stops in 2005. Diers posted a 3.93 grade-point average last semester, majoring in restoration ecology.

Johnston earned All-HCAC honors for the third consecutive year, after leading the HCAC with 16 wins.  The three-time HCAC Pitcher-of-the-Week selection compiled a 7-2 record with an ERA of 1.10 in HCAC contests, while finishing second in the HCAC with four shutouts. She posted career-highs in ERA (1.79), innings pitched (156.2) and complete games (22), ranking in the top five in seven statistical categories. Johnston posted a 3.82 grade-point average last semester, majoring in elementary education.

Petrie was one of DC's top reserves in 2008, helping the team either as a pinch-hitter or at first base. The Attica, Ohio native recorded 69 putouts and six bases on balls, including her bases-loaded walk that scored the winning run in the Jackets' win over Anderson. Petrie posted a 3.64 grade-point average last semester, majoring in middle childhood education.

Stucke played in 32 games for the Jackets last season, after missing part of the year with an injury. The infielder led DC with five steals, while tallying nine runs and finishing fourth on the team with 71 putouts. Stucke posted a 3.56 grade-point average last semester, majoring in middle childhood education.