Monday, April 29, 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. – As part of the first Concordia class to play all four years as an NCAA Division II member, Mckenzie Smith has excelled at a high level in both the classroom and on the softball diamond.

The senior, who has seen starting time at pitcher, first base and as a designated player, is one of 13 three-time selections to the 2019 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Softball All-Academic Team.

Smith, who has a 3.87 cumulative grade point average as a business major, is among the Cavaliers’ leaders both in the circle and at the plate. She leads Concordia with a .319 batting average and is among the GNAC leaders with a 14-8 record and a 3.53 earned run average as a pitcher.

Smith is one of 22 student-athletes that are repeat selections to the Softball All-Academic Team. Joining her as a three-time selection is Central Washington seniors Kayla Ellis and Rachael Johnson, Concordia senior Courtney Somers, Northwest Nazarene seniors Lauren Bassett, Cassidy Fifield, Shelbie Martinez and Kylie Orr; Saint Martin’s seniors Lauren Diuco and Sabrina Hicks; and Western Oregon seniors Haley Fabian, Jenna Kelly and Ryanne Whitaker.

Leading the Softball All-Academic Team in terms of GPA is Western Oregon sophomore Allyson Drury, who has a 4.00 GPA as a biology major. She is one of seven honorees with a 3.8 GPA or better.

Central Washington led all schools with 13 selections to the Softball All-Academic Team. Western Oregon had 10 honorees.

Selections to the GNAC All-Academic Teams must be of sophomore standing or greater, have a 3.20 cumulative grade point average or better and be in their second season of competition at the nominating institution.

2019 GNAC SOFTBALL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM