Full CoSIDA Release
WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Junior
Maddie Flasco (Copley/Copley) capped off a memorable year at Otterbein University by earning a spot on the 2017 Academic All-America Division III Softball Team for the second-straight season, announced Tuesday afternoon by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
A mathematics and biology double-major with a 3.98 grade-point average, Flasco collected second-team honors this spring after landing on the third team in 2016. Flasco, one of 11 individuals on the list who have earned multiple CoSIDA Academic All-America awards, was one of 13 infielder's selected among the 34 total players voted on across the three teams.
Flasco's honor boosts the Academic All-America awards for the Otterbein softball program to six, as she joins the team's only other two-time honoree, Casey Clarridge (2011, 2012), and then Rachael Puthoff and Laura Basford who each secured the accolade in 2014.
"Earning this kind of award for the second time can truly be accredited to the support I have received from the Otterbein softball program," Flasco said. "The emphasis both my coaches and teammates have put on academics has allowed for us all to succeed both athletically and academically. I am honored to be receiving this award and cannot thank my coaches, teammates and family enough for their continued encouragement."
Flasco was again a force for the Cardinal offense this season, ranking in the top-five on the team in batting average (.324), hits (46), runs scored (34), and runs batted-in (22). Starting at second base in all 43 games, she led the team and ranked third in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) with 15 walks while also totaling 13 multi-hit games.
Flasco also garnered her second-consecutive first team All-OAC honor and was named to the all-tournament team following the program's first-ever conference tournament title earlier this month.
"I am pleased to be able to coach a young lady who works as hard as Maddie does both on and off the field," said head coach
Christine Steines, who led the Cardinals to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance this spring. "The dedication and talent that Maddie brings to the diamond she also carries over to her efforts in the classroom, which is exactly why she is so deserving of this honor."
Away from the field, Flasco has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, Animal Coalition Center and Autism Awareness Society of Greater Akron. In addition, she is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta/Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society and was recently awarded a research internship this summer with the University of Rhode Island.
Otterbein bested its historic season from a year ago by notching a new program-high 35 wins this spring, winning its second-straight OAC regular-season title and first OAC Tournament Championship. The tournament win punched the Cardinals' ticket to the NCAA Regional Tournament where they eventually bowed out in an elimination game, finishing the season with their highest-ever national ranking at No. 15.
To be eligible for Academic All-District and All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
