Five Softball Student-Athletes Earn Academic All-District Honors

5/28/2024 11:17:00 AM | By: Kyrin Mayfield | @k_mayfield97

GREENWOOD, Ind. - A program record five members of the Embry-Riddle softball team were included on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team as announced by the CSC on Tuesday. Raissa Bianco, Shelby Morse, and Kerry O'Sullivan all earned the distinction for the first time in their careers while Mallory Kinahan and Karina Ortiz-Munoz received it for the second straight year. The award honors student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. It marks the fifth straight season in which the program has competed that ERAU had a member named to the Academic All-District team.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must compete in 90 percent of the institution's games played or start in at least 66 percent of the institution's games. Pitchers must make at least 17 appearances or complete 25 innings of pitching. Eligible student-athletes also must possess at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average in both undergraduate and graduate work, and must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. Institutions are limited to only five nominations.

Bianco had a breakout campaign in 2024, finding a consistent spot atop the lineup and at second base. Her .365 batting average led the team and ranked sixth in the Sunshine State Conference. The Piraquara, Brazil product also placed inside the top 10 in the SSC in on-base percentage (.450 - 6th), OPS (.910 - 10th), runs (35 - 6th), stolen bases (21- 6th), and fielding double plays (13 - 2nd). This standout performance earned her All-Conference honors for the second straight season.

Bianco recorded more multi-hit games (13) than any other Eagle in 2024, had the team's longest hitting streak (nine games), and reached base in each of the final sixteen games of the season, an individual-best for the year. She excelled equally in the classroom as the junior possessed a 4.00 cumulative GPA in Civil Engineering.

Kinahan returned to the CSC Academic All-District team in back-to-back seasons after contributing both at the plate and in the circle. The junior registered the ninth-most innings pitched in the league in 2024, completing 105.2 frames with 50 strikeouts. Kinahan finished the season with a stout 2.45 ERA and amassed eight wins along with one save over 24 appearances and 18 starts. The Sayville, New York product picked up the program's fifth no-hitter against Chowan on March 6. On offense, Kinahan recorded a .333 average and scored three runs. She maintained a 3.93 GPA in Communication.

Ortiz-Munoz made a second consecutive appearance on the Academic All-District team. A dependable first baseman, Ortiz-Munoz broke the career putouts program record in 2024, finishing her three seasons with 895. The graduate student flexed her muscles with 19 of her 37 hits going for extra bases. She tied for the team lead in doubles with 11 and in home runs with three. Ortiz-Munoz also produced 20 runs and 25 RBIs over 52 games, one of just three Eagles to play in every contest this season.

Her 334 putouts and 17 fielded double plays were tops among all SSC competitors. Ortiz-Munoz completed her bachelor's degree in Computational Mathematics with a 4.00 GPA and earned her master's degree in Aviation Finance this spring with a 3.57 GPA.

O'Sullivan transitioned into a starting role at shortstop as she was the only Eagle included in the starting lineup in all 52 games this year. The sophomore was off to a hot start this season, going 4-for-7 in the first three games. O'Sullivan hit for .243 in 2024 with 17 runs and aided in turning 11 double plays. In the field, she tallied 104 assists, which ranked second in program history and tied for fourth in the conference. O'Sullivan has a 3.51 GPA in Aeronautical Science.

Morse became the team's ace in her second season with the program. She ranked inside the top 10 in the SSC in multiple categories including wins (17 - 7th), ERA (1.54 - 7th), and strikeouts (72 - 8th). Morse also possessed a 1.19 WHIP, 11 complete games, and one save over 29 appearances and 26 starts. The sophomore became the first member of the Blue and Gold to strike out 10 or more batters in a game since 2020 when she rang up 10 Fighting Knights on April 5.

Morse was a true dual threat as she mashed for a .340 batting average and a .509 slugging percentage thanks to three doubles and two home runs. In just 53 at-bats, she collected an astounding 22 RBIs, including the game-winning single on Feb. 9 to deliver the walk-off run for the program's first-ever win against Valdosta State. Morse is majoring in Communication and has a 3.95 GPA.

Academic All-Americans will be released in three weeks on Tuesday, June 18.

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