LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- The Tusculum University softball team accounted for the sixth-best team grade point average across NCAA Division II, according to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/Easton Top-10 list.

Tusculum posted an impressive 3.75 team GPA during the 2024-25 academic year while 19 Pioneers earned NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete distinction. NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes must achieve a 3.5 or better GPA during the academic year only.

Garnering NFCA Scholar-Athlete honors are: Megan Ackerman (Gray, Tenn.), Ellie Alvarez (Plano, Ill.), Alyssa Barbrick (Byron Center, Mich.), Dani Beckham (Valdosta, Ga.), Makayla Bush (Columbia, S.C.), Caylen Conrad (Berea, Ky.), Kylie Darrow (Jackson, Mo.), Faith Gibbs (Collierville, Tenn.), Addison Hoffner (Lexington, S.C.), Riley Hope (Chuckey, Tenn.), Abby Hunter (Clemmons, N.C.), Danielle Jason (Olyphant, Pa.), Sammy Jimenez (Bartlett, Ill.), Katie Jones (Greenback, Tenn.), Ella Majchrzak (Chapin, S.C.), Hailey Nichols (Knoxville, Tenn.), Gabi Nicholson (Ashland City, Tenn.), Brooke Smith (Acworth, Ga.), and Natalie Spaitis (Schaumburg, Ill.).

Six TU student-athletes earned NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors with a perfect 4.0 GPA during the academic year (Megan Ackerman, Alyssa Barbrick, Kylie Darrow, Faith Gibbs, Danielle Jason, and Natalie Spaitis).

Tusculum finished the 2025 campaign with a 38-19 record, its most victories in 30 years, powered by a program-best 13-0 start. TU has collected 20 or more wins in 14-straight full seasons (excluding the shortened COVID year). 

NFCA / Easton NCAA Division II Top-10 GPAs