Three Lady Braves Named To PBC All-Academic Team

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Kristen Hobbs, Natalie Klemann and Kellie Van Dyke were the three athletes from UNCP to be named to the 2012 Peach Belt Conference softball all-academic team and were among 19 given all-academic status, the league office released Wednesday afternoon.

Hobbs, a Granite Falls native, posted a 3.33 cumulative grade point average as an undergrad to land herself on the team. The physical education major led the team and was ninth in the conference with a .355 batting average. The senior played and started in all 47 games for the Lady Braves as was first on the team with a .392 on base percentage and second with a .464 slugging percentage. Hobbs saw 138 at-bats and is second on the squad with 17 RBI and 15 runs, 59 hits, 10 doubles, one triple and one homer. She had 15 multiple-hit games, three multiple-RBI games and an eight game hitting streak.

Klemann's 3.59 grade point average lands her among the list of honorees. The criminal justice major has recorded a 6-8 record in the middle with a 2.81 era as she has made 27 appearances with 17 games started. The sophomore has pitched six complete games and two shutouts in her 104-2/3 innings in the circle. Klemann has given up 100 hits, 56 runs (42 earned) and struck out 97 in the process to average 6.49 strikeouts per game. 

Van Dyke, a criminal justice and sociology major, holds UNCP's highest GPA on the all-academic team with a 3.65 cumulative grade point average. The junior has played in 47 games with 45 starts in right field for the Lady Braves and has accumulated 111 at-bats, seven runs, 27 hits, five doubles, and eight RBI. Van Dyke totaled a .243 batting average, .333 on-base percentage and .288 slugging percentage. She had five multiple-hit games, one multiple-RBI games and a seven game hitting streak.

UNCP, Francis Marion, Lander and North Georgia each had three softball players grace the list, while Armstrong and Georgia Southwestern added two apiece. Augusta State, USC Aiken and Georgia College had one each land on the list. 

The team is part of a season-long program recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of PBC student-athletes in the classroom as well as on the field. To be eligible for the All-Academic team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution. The Peach Belt Conference Sports Information Directors oversee and select the teams.

2012 Softball All-Academic Team