Nov. 6, 2008

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Four Southern Miss softball players were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Scholar-Athletes for the 2007-2008 academic school year.

Kristin Chaney, Kristen Pilgrim, Brittney Jones and Ashlyn Harmon earned the honor after achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the past year. Chaney, Pilgrim and Harmon received honor in 2006-07.

Chaney, who received her master's degree in sports coaching in August, started in all 55 games last season, batting .267 with 39 hits including one home run.

Pilgrim is a senior catcher this year, majoring in forensic science. She is from Metairie, La. In 2008, Pilgrim batted .306 while also starting in all 55 games, to go along with four doubles, one triple and four home runs.

Jones is a senior exercise science major, from Rayne, La. She shares time at both catcher and in the infield. Last season, she played in 18 games, recording five hits.

Harmon will graduate in December with a degree in forensic science, after appearing in 34 games last season, tallying 10 hits and 10 runs batted in.