CALDWELL, N.J. – The Caldwell University softball team posted the 13th-best combined grade-point average among all NCAA Division II programs during the 2013-14 academic year, as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced its academic awards. The Cougars earned a team GPA of 3.478 and had 11 players receive NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors, which requires a GPA of 3.50 or higher.

The softball team at Caldwell University, coached by Dean Johnson, has a history of academic success. In 1996, Caldwell had the highest GPA among all NAIA institutions. In 2004, the team received an award from the NCAA for having the highest team GPA of the eight participants at the Women's College World Series. In 2006, 2007 and now 2014, the Cougars ranked 13th in team GPA among NCAA Division II institutions.

The student-athletes who earned All-America Scholar-Athlete honors in 2013-14 include Jacklyn Bates, Rebecca Welch, seniors Alyssa Calderon (Fontana, CA/Etiwanda), Kristen Knorr (Monroeville, NJ/Delsea), Hanna Walkinshaw (Aptos, CA/Aptos) and Sara Zambelli (West Milford, NJ/West Milford), junior Rachel Berzak (Cypress, CA/Pacifica) and sophomores Amy Hickman (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty), Kate Hogan (East Meadow, NY/Holy Trinity), Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford) and Gracie Sullivan (Elmhurst, IL/York).

In 2014 the Cougars went 45-9 and advanced to the NCAA Division II East Super Regional for the first time. Caldwell was ranked 14th in the final NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll.