Classroom Work Nets Honors for Sooners

NORMAN – Four members of the University of Oklahoma softball team have been recognized for their prowess in the classroom by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

The NFCA has honored then-senior infielder Javen Henson, juniors infielder/pitcher Shelby Pendley and infielder Jessica Vest and sophomore pitcher Kelsey Stevens as All-America Scholar Athletes for the 2013-14 academic year.

Student-athletes need a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher to earn such distinction.

A three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree and health and exercise science major, Henson played in 50 games for the Sooners with 40 starts. She led the team in sacrifice bunts with nine and sacrifice flies with three.

Pendley, majoring in multidisciplinary studies with an emphasis in coaching and leadership, was a 2014 NFCA First-Team All-American and member of the 2014 Women's College World Series All-Tournament Team. She started all 64 games and led the Big 12 in batting average, hits, runs, home runs, doubles, RBI, total bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Vest is a two-time Academic All-District honoree and has twice been named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team. A multidisciplinary studies major with an emphasis in health and society, Vest played in 55 games a year ago with 38 starts.

Majoring in entrepreneurship, Stevens was a 2014 All-Region Second Team and 2014 All-Big 12 First Team honoree. She tied for the national lead in wins with 38, setting an OU single-season record along the way. She also set Oklahoma records for appearances (57) and starts (50) in one season. She led the Big 12 in innings pitched, appearances, games started and tied for the conference lead in complete games.