Katie Cronin and Kate Pendleton named First Team Academic All-Americans

AUSTIN, Texas (June 6, 2023) – Milligan University softball graduates Katie Cronin and Kate Pendleton were both named First Team Academic All-Americans by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) on Tuesday.

Cronin repeats as a First Team Academic All-American and becomes the third Milligan student-athlete to be named a multi-year Academic All-American, joining Maggie Blazo (swimming) and Avery DeWolf Burton (cross country/track). The softball duo are the 20th and 21st student-athletes in school history to receive Academic All-America designation.

Cronin earned All-Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) First Team honors for the third-straight season. A spring 2023 nursing graduate with a 3.89 cumulative GPA, Cronin was the 2021 AAC Player of the Year and NAIA First Team All-American. Cronin graduated as Milligan's all-time batting leader with a career average of .466. She ranked second in the conference this season with a .456 average with 18 extra-base hits, 17 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

Pendleton took Academic All-America First Team honors as a designated player. She earned a degree in exercise science with a 3.81 GPA. Pendleton hit .352 and led the Buffs in home runs (2) and RBI (25). Pendleton served as Milligan's primary DP and No. 2 pitcher despite not pitching since high school. She notched seven victories in the circle with an earned run average of 4.50. Pendleton drove in five runs in Milligan's AAC Tournament win over Point and went on to earn a spot on the AAC All-Tournament Team.

The College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. To be eligible for the award, voted on by Sports Information Directors, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative 3.30 GPA or higher and must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their institution. Nominees must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games and be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic and academic credentials.