May 8, 2008

HOUSTON, Texas - UTEP softball's Stacie Townsend was named to the 2008 Conference USA All-Academic Softball Team announced league officials on Thursday. The team consists of 11 student-athletes that have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or better and are a starter or key reserve for the team.

The squad, which represents eight of the nine softball teams, are voted on by the softball sports information directors.

A 2007 NFCA Scholar Athlete and a two-time C-USA Academic Medalist, Townsend has maintained a 4.00 GPA since arriving at UTEP. She earned All-Conference USA first-team honors as an infielder, seeing time at first and second base, and leads the Miners in home runs and RBI. Townsend also saw time in the circle, making 26 appearances with 21 starts. She recorded four shutouts and one save and ranks fifth in the conference with 133 strikeouts.

This is the second honor for a Miners. Senior Rachel Schaeffer was named to the inaugural class last season.

The Miners advanced to the semifinal game of the Conference USA Softball Championships after defeating Tulsa 8-4 on Thursday. UTEP will face UCF at 2 p.m. CST on Friday.