BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Four Campbell softball student-athletes have been named Academic All-District by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).
Kayla Howald, Erin Rafferty, Claudia Ware and Savannah White were honored among the nation's top student-athletes for their efforts on the diamond and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Academic All-District honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic AllAmerica honorees will be announced June 6.
A redshirt-junior, Howald graduated with her undergraduate degree in sports management this week. The Bradenton, Fla. native has posted career-highs in starts (20), wins (12), complete games (8), innings pitched (121.2) and strikeouts (82). This year she interned with the Campbell athletic marketing department where she helped create the marketing plan for the current softball season.
A finance and accounting major, Erin Rafferty owns a cumulative 4.0 GPA as a sophomore. This season, Rafferty has appeared in 29 games and made five starts where she's scored eight runs, drawn two walks and recorded one RBI and stolen base.
The Big South Championship MVP and All-Big South First Team selection, Ware graduated this week with a degree in accounting. A redshirt-senior, Ware leads the the team hitting .375 with 60 hits, 20 doubles, 27 RBI and 31 walks. Her 20 doubles ranks second nationally while her .488 on base percentage ranks 50th. Ware was also named to the Big South All-Academic Team this season. Following her Campbell career she plans to move back to her home state of Texas and pursue a career in accounting.
White owns a 3.74 cumulative GPA in sports management. This season as a sophomore she has appeared in 49 games making 41 starts this season at catcher. She earned All-Big South Second Team honors after hitting .370 in conference play with 17 hits, including five doubles and two home runs, along with 14 RBI.
Campbell clinched its third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the Big South Championship. The Camels will compete at the Durham Regional this weekend, taking on Charlotte in its first game Friday at 2:30 PM.
Overall, at least one Campbell University student-athlete has been recognized on an Academic All-District team every year since 1994-95.
