May 8, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 871-5475

University of Memphis softball senior Lindsay Kelso and junior Tori Gross both earned CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors on Thursday.

Kelso earned district four second team honors and Gross is a third team selection. The honor is the first for both student-athletes and marks the most selections in one year for the softball program.

After being named to the Conference USA Academic Team for the second-straight year at the post-season banquet on Wednesday, Kelso earns her second academic honor in as many days. The Phoenix, Ariz., native graduated last week with a degree in accounting and plans to pursue a graduate degree in the same field at Memphis in the fall. Kelso led the team with a 3.8 GPA.

Kelso is hitting .250 on the season and is second on the team in home runs (8), RBI (28) and runs scored (26). The catcher/outfielder is tied for the team lead with 11 doubles and has started 53 of 54 contests for the Tigers.

Gross carries a 3.39 GPA and is working toward a degree in international business. The second baseman is second on the team with a .304 batting average and has four home runs with eight doubles, 19 RBI and 24 runs scored.

In the last two months, Gross has been the biggest offensive threat for the Tigers. Since returning to the starting lineup on March 12, the second baseman has hit .380 with a .595 slugging percentage, .473 on base percentage, 17 RBI, 11 extra base hits and only 13 strikeouts in 33 games.

Former Memphis pitcher Jenna Kubesch is the only other Tiger to earn CoSIDA academic honors. Kubesch was named to the all-district first team in 2006 and 2007.