WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Five University of Hartford softball team members were recently honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for their success inside of the classroom. Amber Andrews, Kimberly Eisen, Genevieve Morneau-Vaillancourt, and Erica Phelps, Kate Wacyk were named NFCA Scholar-Athletes for posting a minimum compiled grade point average of 3.5.
A two-time America East Commissioner's Honor Roll member, Phelps was forced to the sidelines in 2011 after suffering an injury four games into her junior campaign. Prior to that year, she played in 30 games with 28 starts, and finished her sophomore year with 15 hits, six RBIs and eight runs scored.
In the classroom, Wacyk an impressive 3.92 grade point average with a major in biology. A two-time America East Commissioner's Honor Roll member in both 2010 and 2011, the Sellersville, Pa. native racked up several academic distinctions when she was named to the America East All-Academic Team as well as the Capital One All-District I Second Team at the conclusion of last season.
Wacyk enjoyed a successful sophomore campaign on the diamond in 2011, finishing third on the team with a .266 batting average. As a utility player who spent most of her time manning the hot corner, Wacyk led the Hawks in runs (20), triples (3), and home runs (4) and collected 29 hits and 20 walks, second-most on the team.
A trio of rookies from last year's squad also scored NFCA academic honors as Andrews, Eisen and Morneau-Vaillaincourt earned spots on the list for achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
One of four players to start and play in all 44 games, Andrews knocked in dour doubles, tying for third-most on the team last year, and scored 15 runs with eight RBIs. A second baseman, the Greenwood, Del. Native closed out her freshman season batting .192 with 23 hits while committing just four errors in the Hawks' infield.
Eisen, a native of Eatontown, N.J. holds a 3.55 grade point average with a major in health sciences while Morneau-Vaillaincourt studies psychology and boats a 3.90 GPA. On the field Morneau-Vaillaincourt saw time in 42 games while making 41 starts in the outfield. In 96-at bats, the Quebec City, Quebec native collected 16 hits, scored 10 runs and drove in eight.
