Aug. 6, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
A quintet of University of Maryland softball players were named to the 2008 All-ACC Academic Team, the conference recently announced.
Recent graduates Jenny Belak and Brittany Bessho, seniors Meredith Nelles and Devon Williams and sophomore Kerry Hickey each represented the Terrapins on the team thanks to their outstanding performances in their dual roles as student-athletes.
Belak, an American studies major from Sierra Madre, Calif., led the Terps in at-bats (205), hits (67), runs (39), triples (four) and stolen bases (24) during her final season with the team. She also excelled as an outfielder, committing only one error with 53 putouts in 2008.
Bessho, a native of Marietta, Ga., who transferred from Tennessee following her sophomore season, served as one of the team leaders in 2008 while playing catcher. The food science major batted .327 with seven home runs, 35 RBIs and a team-best 14 doubles last season, finishing her tenure at Maryland with a career average of .315.
A repeat honoree who also made the 2007 All-ACC Academic Team, Nelles served as the ace of the Terrapins' pitching staff last season. The education major from Wilmington, Del., posted a 10-3 record with a team-leading ERA of 2.17 and four shutouts in 87 innings.
Williams, an infielder, made tremendous strides during 2008, raising her batting average 36 points from the prior season. Hailing from Cleveland, N.C., the business management major demonstrated impressive bat discipline, finishing second on the team with 18 walks last season, to go along with 32 hits and 16 runs.
Hickey, a criminology major, proved valuable and versatile in her first season with the Terps, playing outfield and pitching. Her 4-0 record and 2.48 ERA on the mound during 2008 complemented her offensive numbers - .292 batting average, 45 hits, 31 RBIs and 25 runs.
In all, 29 student-athletes were selected to the All-ACC Academic Team, with Virginia Tech pitcher Angela Tincher earning Softball Scholar Athlete of the Year honors. The team consisted of 10 All-ACC honorees, as well as five All-ACC Tournament representatives.
To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade-point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during her academic career.
