PORTLAND, Ore. – The Montana State University Billings softball team saw 11 of it's student-athletes awarded with Academic All-GNAC honors as announced by the conference on Wednesday, recognizing the 'Jackets for their impressive semester in the classroom.
 
Three Yellowjackets are repeat selections for academic all-conference honors, while eight MSUB players earned selection for the first time in their careers.
 

Name	Major	Year	GPA	Hometown
Ashley Akers	Communications: Media Studies	SO	3.58	Des Moines, IA
Lauren Blaschak	Health & Human Performance	SR	3.91	Billings, MT
Madelyne Elbert	Biology Medical Lab Science	JR	3.64	Arvada, CO
Kaylin Galvin	Health & Human Performance	SR	3.80	Reno, NV
Caitlyn James	Communications: Media Studies	SR	3.78	Quincy, CA
Kendall Klemp	Elementary Education	SO	4.00	Helena, MT
Bryn Lucht	Bus Admin: Marketing	SO	3.93	Wauconda, IL
Alexis Tovar	Psychology	JR	3.41	Nampa, ID
Elaina Troxell	Bus Admin: Management	JR	3.45	Arvada, CO
Riley Warden	Communications: Media Studies	SO	3.67	Monroe, WA
Shelby Wasilewski	Health & Human Performance	SO	4.00	Fox Lake, IL

"These players have been putting in a lot of work in the classroom and study tables," said MSUB head coach Joe Yegge. "They understand that we want to be the best in the league and be in the top ten in the nation in team GPA. They have bought in to our goals and expectations, and are doing a great job in reaching those goals."
 
Leading the Yellowjackets honorees in career selections was Lauren Blaschak, who earned an Academic All-GNAC selection for the third time in her career. The senior infielder has kept a 3.91 GPA, while working on her degree in health & human performance. This season, Blaschak has batted .320, collecting 24 total hits, four doubles, and a trio of home runs, to go with 14 runs, 13 RBIs, and a team-high 6 stolen bases.
 
Behind her, the duo of Alexis Tovar and Madelyne Elbert each earned academic all-conference awards for the second time in their careers. Tovar has managed to hold a 3.41 GPA while majoring in psychology, while Elbert has kept a 3.64 GPA, while working towards a degree in biology medical lab science.
 
Following them, MSUB's eight first-time selections were led by a pair of perfect 4.00 GPAs, tying for the best marks in the conference. Kendall Klemp earned her perfect GPA while majoring in elementary education, and Shelby Wasilewski earned a 4.0 while majoring in health & human performance. The sophomores have each seen time for the 'Jackets, with Klemp scoring a run and collecting an RBI in six at-bats during the season while collecting a fielding percentage of .917, while Wasilewski has pitched in nine games this season for the 'Jackets, totaling eight innings of work and striking out four batters.
 
Continuing down the list, seniors Caitlyn James and Kaylin Galvin earned the honor for the first time in their second years with the program. James has accumulated a 3.78 GPA while working toward a degree in communications, while Galvin has totaled a 3.80 GPA while majoring in health & human performance. James currently ranks second on the Yellowjacket's roster in wins and innings pitched, totaling three victories in 19 appearances, and 13 starts. James has totaled MSUB's lone shutout in the circle this season, while throwing three complete games. Meanwhile, Galvin has impressed both at the plate and in the field this season, seeing time at catcher, third base, and in the outfield. The senior has totaled a .343 batting average, collecting 25 hits, 24 runs, nine doubles, five home runs, 15 RBIs, and 15 walks atop the 'Jackets lineup.
 
Bryn Lucht added another honor to an impressive breakout season, after earning a 3.93 GPA while majoring in marketing. The two-time GNAC Player of the Week selection leads both MSUB and the GNAC in a number of major hitting categories, slashing .388/.484/.913 this season while collecting 21 runs, six doubles, 12 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 15 walks. Meanwhile, fellow outfielder Riley Warden earned academic all-conference honors after earning a 3.67 GPA in communications. The sophomore has collected a pair of hits and four runs during the season, along with three steals.
 
Rounding out the Yellowjackets academic award winners were Ashley Akers, who earned a 3.58 GPA while majoring in communications, and Elaina Troxell, who kept a 3.45 GPA while majoring in business management. The sophomore Akers has shown promise at the plate in her second year with the program, batting .351 with 13 hits, three doubles, one hoe run, and eight RBIs. Meanwhile Troxell, a junior pitcher, has appeared in 14 games for the 'Jackets, collecting one win across 11.2 innings of work.
 
The Yellowjackets (10-18, 5-3 GNAC) and their 11 Academic All-GNAC selections are in the midst of a resurgent season in their first season under coach Yegge, with the team surpassing last season's win total already while currently sitting second place in the GNAC Standings. The team will face one of it's biggest tests of the season this week, facing off against Saint Martin's University in a four-game series on the road. The opening day of doubleheader action scheduled for Saturday, April 5, beginning at 2 PM MT (1 PM PT). Links to live coverage of all MSUB softball action can be found online here.