

Springfield, Mass. - October 2, 2009 - The two-time defending New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Champion Springfield College softball team was recently recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for their outstanding performance in the classroom.The NFCA announced the “girls got game” Top Ten All-Academic Teams for the 2009 season and Springfield College had the third highest GPA among Division III softball teams with a 3.503 team grade point average. The Pride placed first among schools within the NEWMAC, and second in New England Division III.
Emerson College finished first among all Division III teams with a 3.531 Team GPA, followed by Piedmont College (3.530). Division II Ouachita Baptist University finished with the highest team GPA across all NCAA divisions with a 3.663 GPA.
The third place ranking matches the highest that a Springfield softball team has ever finished in the NFCA Division III Academic Team rankings, as the Pride also finished third in 2007.
Julie Perrelli enters her second season at the helm of the Springfield College softball program and as an assistant professor of physical education. In her first season in the dugout for the Pride, Perelli guided Springfield to the NEWMAC Championship for the third-consecutive season. Read more.