June 15, 2009

Arlington, Texas - The UT Arlington softball squad had three players named to the 2009 Southland All-Academic Team that was announced on Monday, June 15.

First team All-Conference recipients - Samantha Chumchal and Heather Fortenberry were two of 11 athletes to be named to the first team All-Academic Team. Chumchal finished her junior season with a 3.21 grade point average in pre. K-Education while Fortenberry recorded a 3.23 grade point average in criminal justice.

On the field, Chumchal led the Mavericks with a .324 average, nine home runs and 16 walks. She also connected on a two-run homer in the Southland Conference Tournament against UTSA.

Pitcher/outfielder-Fortenberry split time on the mound and the outfield as she led the team with 44 hits and 20 RBI. In the circle, Fortenberry recorded a 7-7 mark with a 4.55 earned run average in 85.0 innings pitched.

Cara Hulme, a two-time All-Academic selection and SLC Honorable Mention award winner finished her junior campaign with a 3.67 grade point average in kinesiology.

As the Mavericks number-one ace on the mound, Hulme finished her junior campaign with a 13-14 mark with a 3.36 ERA, four shutouts while fanning 144. At the plate, Hulme recorded a .279 average, connecting on eight home runs and plating 20 RBI.

The all-academic teams are voted on by the head coaches, sports information directors and academic/compliance administrators from each Southland university. Student-athletes must possess a 3.2 cumulative GPA, have completed one full academic year at the nominating institution and participated in at least 50 percent of the team's competition to qualify for the all-academic squad.