BLUFFTON, Ohio – The 2004 Bluffton University softball team has been named an All-Academic team by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association. The Beavers are ranked ninth in the Division III standings.
With this honor, Bluffton, is the highest ranked school out of the eight Heartland Conference softball teams. Head coach Holly Spann is proud of her team and their excellence, “This ranking is one that I’m most proud for our team. Academic excellence is one of the core values of our program.”
Along with the team being honored five members of the 2004 squad received scholar athlete recognition. Michelle Pleiman (Yorkshire/Minster), Mandy Snider (Wapakoneta/Wapakoneta), Jackie Wells (Malinta/Partick Henry), Dani Larson (Lena, Ill./Lena-Winslow) and Carrie Weisbecker (Okeana/Ross), were recognized for their classroom success during the 2003-04 academic year.
“One of the most important things we do here is to prepare our student-athletes to perform well once they leave,” Spann said. “Classroom performance is vital to being a part of our softball team.”
Bluffton University finished the 2004 season with a 26-8 overall record and a 12-2 HCAC record. The team was ranked as high as 21st in the nation for their efforts.
