Seven Huskers Named Academic All-Big 12

Nebraska was well represented on the 2009 academic All-Big 12 softball teams, as seven Huskers were honored, including six first-team selections and two three-time honorees. The seven total selections represent Nebraska’s highest total since 1999 (also seven selections in 2001, 2002 and 2005), while the six first-team honorees are the Huskers’ most since 2002.

Seniors Molly Hill and Meghan Mullin headlined the group, as each was named to the first team for the third time in their career. Fellow senior Haley Long, along with junior Alex Hupp and sophomores Julie Brechtel and Heidi Foland all earned academic All-Big 12 honors for the first time in their career and each was a first-team selection. Senior Crystal Carwile was also a first-time honoree, as she earned a spot on the second team.

Hill and Mullin also earned academic all-district honors on Wednesday. Hill, a 2008 CoSIDA Academic All-American, leads the Big 12 with 24 wins, while ranking third with a 1.36 ERA and 177 strikeouts. Mullin ranks fourth in the Big 12 in walks, fifth in runs scored and sixth in stolen bases.

Long, a 2007 second-team All-Big 12 selection, has hit a career-high two home runs this season while also excelling in the classroom. Hupp has seen action in the circle and at the plate for the Huskers this year. She is 2-0 on the season with a 0.98 ERA and one save in the circle, while she has produced three doubles, one homer and eight RBIs in 31 at bats.

Brechtel and Foland were each honored in their first opportunity to earn academic All-Big 12 recognition. Brechtel is batting .314 this season and is tied for the team lead with five home runs, while ranking third in doubles, walks, RBIs and runs scored. Foland has also homered five times this season while starting 38 games at third base.

Carwile is a three-time athletic All-Big 12 selection, but is being honored for her work in the classroom for the first time this season. She has an excellent chance to become the Huskers' eighth four-time All-Big 12 selection later tonight, as the Chino, Calif., native is batting .319 with nine doubles, five home runs and a team-high 36 RBIs this season.