Thirteen Claim Academic All-Big Ten Honors
5/30/2018 1:29:13 PM | Softball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State softball team had 13 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big Ten honors, the conference announced Wednesday. The baker’s dozen tied for the second-highest number of honorees amongst the 14 conference softball programs.
To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be letterwinners who are in at least their second academic year at their institution and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
Three of the Academic All-Big Ten selections also garnered postseason recognition from the league for their on-field performance. Shelby McCombs was a first team All-Big Ten honoree after hitting .409 in 22 conference games with eight home runs, 20 RBI and a .879 slugging percentage. In the circle, she had eight wins with a 2.93 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 71.2 innings pitched. Lilli Piper was a unanimous first teamer and All-Defensive Team member behind 23 RBI, 22 hits, 19 runs scored, 18 walks and seven home runs in Big Ten games. Becca Gavin caught 14 stealing and had a 1.000 fielding percentage in conference action for a spot on the All-Defensive Team. Megan Choinacky was Ohio State’s Sportsmanship Award recipient. In addition to McCombs and Piper, Morgan Ray was a NFCA All-Midwest Region selection.
In May, three Buckeyes earned their degrees: Becca Gavin (biology), Bailee Sturgeon (sport industry) and Taylor White (sport industry).
Ohio State’s 2017-18 Academic All-Big Ten honorees:
- Amy Balich | Sophomore | Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Bri Betschel | Junior | Major: Human Development and Family Science
- Megan Choinacky | Junior | Major: Pharmacy
- Katya Duvall | Junior | Major: Language Arts Education
- Andi Farrah | Sophomore | Major: Health Sciences
- Carley Gaskill | Sophomore | Major: Accounting
- Becca Gavin | Senior | Major: Biology
- Maddie Marotti | Redshirt Senior | Major: Sport Management (Master’s)
- Shelby McCombs | Senior | Major: Human Development and Family Science
- Lilli Piper | Junior | Major: Sport Industry
- Morgan Ray | Junior| Major: Health Sciences
- Spencer Sansom | Sophomore | Major: Physical Activity and Coaching Specialist
- Bailee Sturgeon | Senior | Major: Sport Industry
