INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Cleveland State University senior Hallie Ward and junior Sydney Bajusz have been named to the 2020 Horizon League Softball All-Academic Team, as selected by the league's faculty athletic representatives and announced by the league on Friday.
"I'm thrilled that both Hallie and Sydney were named to the Horizon League's All-Academic Team," said head coach Amy Kyler. "These ladies work extremely hard on the field and in the classroom, and are excellent representations of our program and the university as a whole."
The Horizon League recognizes student-athletes with seasonal Academic All-League Teams in each of its 19 championship sports. To be eligible for Horizon League All-Academic consideration, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.20 or higher (based on a 4.00 scale), have completed at least one year at the member institution, having earned 24 semester-hour or 36 quarter-hour credits, and be a starter or key reserve.
Ward, a senior majoring in communications studies, owns a 3.93 GPA and is a three-time member of Cleveland State's Dean's List. The Kirtland, Ohio, native ended this season with a .250 batting average, recording at least one hit in four of her last five games. In two seasons with the Vikings, Ward has appeared in 53 games.
"Hallie is one of the most dedicated individuals on the field and in the classroom," Kyler said. "She has a strong work ethic and never backs down - her academic achievements are proof of this. We are very proud of all of her accomplishments. Congratulations on graduating!"
Bajusz, a right-handed outfielder, is currently studying pre-physical therapy, holding a 3.98 GPA. A five-time Dean's List member, Bajusz appeared in 19 games for the Vikings this spring, leading the team in homeruns (four) and RBI (15). Against Wagner on Feb. 22, the junior from Aurora, Illinois, went 2-2, smashing two homeruns and six RBI, propelling Cleveland State to a 13-3 win, marking the Vikes' first game of 13-or-more runs since the 2014 season. Bajusz owns seven career homeruns and 25 career RBI in 90 games played.
"Sydney has a strong desire to excel in all aspects of her life," said Kyler. "She is compassionate about her studies and has proven her success in the classroom, we are very proud of her."