CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball seniors Tiffany Baker (East Ridge, Tenn.) and Kandice Irwin (Knoxville, Tenn.) were selected to Capital One Academic All-District teams as voted upon by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for excellence in the classroom. Third baseman Baker was named to the first team, while pitcher Irwin took third team honors.

With the first team selection, Baker will be nominated for the Capital One Academic All-America team voted upon by CoSIDA and announced on May 26.

"Tiffany [Baker] and Kandice [Irwin] are what we call true student-athletes with the student aspect being the most important," said head coach Frank Reed. "They both have shown the fact that they can be successful on the field and in the classroom. It is awesome that we have student-athletes that standout and are rewarded for their hard work."

Academically, Baker holds a team-best 3.70 grade-point-average as a Health and Human Performance, Pedagogy major. She is graduating with her undergraduate degree on Saturday. Irwin has compiled a 3.31 g.p.a and is scheduled to graduate with a degree in Exceptional Learning in December.

Both players have contributed to the Lady Mocs success on the field this season. Chattanooga won its fifth-straight and 13th overall SoCon regular season title and is looking to make another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Baker has been shattering record throughout her career. She holds the Lady Mocs and SoCon career home run record with 48. The East Ridge, Tenn., native blasted her 15th round tripper of the season on May 1, breaking Chattanooga's single-season record that she tied in 2010.

"It is awesome for Tiffany to be in the running for a national award," said Reed. "Tiffany's success in the classroom is typical of her work ethic on the field and the leadership role that she fulfills on this team."

Currently, Baker paces the conference in home runs (15), RBI (55), on base (.481) and slugging (.785) percentage. This is her first academic all-district award after being named to the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-South Region team the past two seasons.

Irwin is a dynamic relief pitcher for the Lady Mocs, who has thrived in a closing role, and is tied for fifth all-time in NCAA history with 19 career saves. She paced the nation last year by closing out 11 games.

So far this season, the Knoxville, Tenn., native has registered a 10-3 mark with six saves and 1.70 ERA in 86.1 innings pitched. She has notched a team-best 90 strikeouts.

The Lady Mocs return to action on Saturday with a three-game series at Western Carolina beginning with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. (E.D.T.). First pitch for the finale of the series will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Links for live stats can be found on the softball schedule page of GoMocs.com, the official website of Chattanooga Athletics. Live audio will also be available on a subscription basis on MocsVision on GoMocs.com with Tyler Brown providing the play-by-play.

Furman's Hughey Earns Capital One Academic All-District III Honors

Greenville, S.C. - Furman senior softball standout Morgan Hughey has been named to the Capital One Academic All-District III Second Team, it was announced on Thursday by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Hughey, a native of Gaffney, S.C., leads the Paladins and the entire Southern Conference this season with a .409 batting average. The second baseman has started all 47 games for Furman, belting four home runs and driving in a team-high 30 runs.

A health science major, Hughey boasts a 3.57 GPA and will receive her degree at Furman's spring commencement on Saturday evening before the Paladins travel to Boone, N.C., to face the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the final three-game series of the regular season on Sunday and Monday.

Furman, 16-31 overall and 8-13 in SoCon play, will take part in the SoCon Tournament May 11-14, in Statesboro, Ga.