Malone University junior catcher
Bailey Byers was named to the Academic All-District Softball Team, selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America), on Thursday afternoon.
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The award recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. District 4 represents universities from the three conferences in the Midwest Region (G-MAC, GLIAC, and GLVC).
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Honorees selected Academic All-District will advance to the Academic All-America ballot. Academic All-Americans will be announced in June.
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Because of the cancellation of spring sports seasons across the collegiate landscape, this year's softball Academic All-District winners were selected off of career statistics, unlike in years past where they were based on the current season.
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Bailey Byers, of Alliance, Ohio and West Branch High School, is the lone catcher represented on the Academic All-District Team.
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The power-hitting junior owns a .406 batting average in 2+ seasons in a Pioneer uniform. Byers has collected 115 career hits, including 26 doubles, four triples, and a school record 21 homeruns. Her .749 slugging percentage is ninth-highest among all active players in NCAA Division II.
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Byers also has 59 runs scored, 69 runs batted in, seven stolen bases, and 45 defensive assists. She has struck out just 20 times in 300 career plate appearances and owns a .433 on-base percentage. As a sophomore, she hit .453 with a school record 13 homeruns.
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Last year Byers was recognized as G-MAC First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Midwest Region, and NFCA Third Team All-American. She was named G-MAC Second Team All-Conference following her freshman season.
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In the classroom, Byers carries a 3.47 GPA as an Exercise Science major. She is a two-year member of the G-MAC All-Academic Team.
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