CoSIDA Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kate Pratt Named to Capital One Academic All-America Team

MANSFIELD – The hit parade continues for Mansfield University softball standout Kate Pratt who has been selected to the prestigious Capital One Academic All-America Team selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and released today.

The Capital One Academic All-America Team is the most difficult and prestigious post season academic achievement to receive and is based on both academic and athletic achievement.

Just 36 student-athletes from the 270 NCAA Division II schools that sponsor softball are awarded Capital One Academic honors. Pratt is one of four student-athletes selected from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

To be eligible for voting, a candidate must be in at least their sophomore year academically and maintain a 3.30 cumulative grade point average or higher. In addition, the candidate must be a starter or key reserve.

Three teams are selected in voting conducted among sports information director across the nation. Pratt was voted to second team honors as an infielder.

Pratt qualified for the national ballot by earning first team Capital One All-District II honors earlier this month.

Pratt, who was named the PSAC Central and ECAC Division II Player of the Year this season, was selected to the Capital One Academic All-America team as an infielder after starting the last four years at shortstop for the Mountaineers.

The senior has a cumulative grade point average of 3.88 majoring in early childhood/elementary education and special education.

The most acclaimed softball player in school history, Pratt is a four-time All-PSAC selection earning first team All-PSAC East recognition this season.

She helped lead the Mountaineers to back-to-back PSAC playoff berths this season with the team advancing to the program's first-ever NCAA playoff appearance earlier this month.

A standout at the plate, in the field and on the mound, Pratt batted .343 this year with her 29 extra-base hits including 15 doubles, a triple and nine home runs. She also had a team best 31 RBIs and scored 33 runs.

As a pitcher, Pratt posted a 10-8 record with a 1.91 ERA. In 120.2 innings worked she allowed 99 hits while striking out a team-best 76 batters. Opponents batted just .233 against her in 22 starts and she threw four shutouts.

Pratt ends her career as one of the top hitters in school history. In 146 games played, Pratt rapped out 176 hits including a school-record 50 doubles. She also hit five triples along with a school-record 41 home runs. She drove in 146 runs while scoring 118 times and posted a .743 slugging percentage with a .408 on-base average.

As a pitcher, Pratt posted a 29-25 overall record striking out 248 batters in 332.2 innings worked while holding opponents to a .233 batting average.