Softball Earns Second-Highest GPA Among all Division I Programs

RADFORD, Va. – The NFCA partnering with Easton revealed Tuesday afternoon the top-10 Division I softball program GPAs which included Radford placing second, a program record.

With a 3.811 team GPA during the 2023-24 academic year, the Highlanders earned their second-placed ranking which breaks a program record. The mark is also the highest among Big South members. Radford finished just behind Southern Illinois (3.856), placing just above Youngstown State (3.781), George Mason (3.780) and Illinois State (3.779).

Additionally, 19 Radford student-athletes were named All-America scholar-athletes for their work in the classroom. The list of Highlanders earning the achievement included Cassi Barbato, Grace Bechtol, Abby Bossler, Tori Boyd, Morgan Cooper, Chloe Greene, Natalie Jones, Amanda Lee, Ellen Palya, Abby Peace, Malorie Reeves, Lexie Roberts, Kari Shedrick, Emily Smith, Rachel Smith, Kyndall Stanley, Abby Wilson, Amber Wolfe and Emma Yates.

The rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association's membership categories. NCAA Division I led the way with 2,573 student-athletes earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher for 2023-24.

The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Awards Program, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from NFCA podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.

Follow Softball on Social Media
For more information on the Radford softball team, follow @RadfordSoftball on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Softball on Facebook.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#5 Malorie Reeves: P/1B; 5' 9"; Freshman; R/L

#13 Cassi Barbato: C/IF; 5' 7"; Junior; L/R

#9 Tori Boyd: IF/OF; 5' 5"; Senior; R/R

#24 Chloe Greene: P; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#38 Natalie Jones: P/1B; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R

#18 Ellen Palya: P; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#14 Lexie Roberts: OF; 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/R

#2 Kari Shedrick: 1B/OF; 6' 1"; Junior; L/R

#7 Emily Smith: C/OF; 5' 4"; Junior; R/R

#6 Rachel Smith: IF/OF; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#5 Malorie Reeves
: 5' 9"; Freshman; R/L
: P/1B

#13 Cassi Barbato
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/R
: C/IF

#9 Tori Boyd
: 5' 5"; Senior; R/R
: IF/OF

#24 Chloe Greene
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#38 Natalie Jones
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R
: P/1B

#18 Ellen Palya
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: P

#14 Lexie Roberts
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#2 Kari Shedrick
: 6' 1"; Junior; L/R
: 1B/OF

#7 Emily Smith
: 5' 4"; Junior; R/R
: C/OF

#6 Rachel Smith
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: IF/OF