SOFTBALL HAS PROGRAM-RECORD FIVE PLAYERS RECEIVE NFCA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE HONORS 10/25/2007 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento State softball players Ashley Dawson, Keri Elias, Hilary Johnson, Kayla Meeks and Amanda Meyer each received the Scholar-Athlete Award from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) after recording better than a 3.5 gpa during the 2006-07 academic year. The five selections are the most in program history, surpassing the 2005-06 academic year total of four. Since 1996, Sacramento State has been represented by at least one player on the NFCA Scholar-Athlete team in all but one season, including three players in 2004-05. Dawson, who is on pace to graduate this spring, finished her playing career in 2007 and was the team's lone senior from last season on the scholar-athlete list. She received a 3.62 gpa during the academic year as a psychology major, and finished her career playing in 162 games, including 105 starts in the outfield and at second base. Elias received a 3.56 gpa as a business major. As a freshman second baseman last season, the Gresham, Ore., native appeared in 33 games, including 18 starts at second base and three as the team's designated player. She batted .348 against Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC) competition with a .464 on-base percentage. Johnson was the recipient of a 3.77 gpa as a child development major. A three-time all-PCSC selection (including first team last season), Johnson also received scholar-athlete honors as a freshman in 2005. A career .318 hitter during her first three years as a Hornet, Johnson started 50 games in the outfield last season and batted .298 with a Sacramento State Div. I program record 15 stolen bases. Meeks received a 3.70 gpa as a health science major. In her first season with the Hornets last season as a sophomore pitcher, the Hanford, Calif., native was an honorable mention all-PCSC selection. She led the Hornets in wins (12), appearances (30), starts (26), complete games (20), shutouts (2), innings (180.1) and strikeouts (96). Offensively, she was third on the team with a .298 batting average. Meyer was the recipient of a 3.86 gpa as a recreation and leisure studies major. As a junior last season after transferring from San Francisco State, Meyer appeared in 36 games, including 10 starts (nine in left field, once in center). Sacramento State, which has won at least 30 games four times in the last five years, opens the 2008 season on Feb. 12 with a home doubleheader against San Jose State.