Three Southern Illinois University softball players were named to the Academic All-District team, as selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Senior pitcher Claire Miller, senior first baseman/designated hitter Kyleigh Decker and junior outfielder Jenny Jansen each earned Academic All-District honors for the first time in their respective careers.
The 2020 Academic All-District® Softball Team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
Miller earned her first nod on the Academic All-District team after she finished her Saluki career with a 10-4 record in the circle and a 3.41 earned run average. The Wayne City, Ill. native gave up just two extra base hits – both doubles – in 21.2 innings of work in 2020 and threw a two-hit shutout against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 28 in which she tied her career-high with eight strikeouts.
Decker claimed her first Academic All-District honor after her solid start to the 2020 season. The Casey, Ill. native finished top-five in the Missouri Valley Conference in runs batted in (5th; 20), slugging percentage (5th; .702) and home runs (t-5th; 5). An exercise science major at SIU, Decker finished her career ranked in the top-15 in school history in both stolen base percentage (10th; .889) and home runs (15th; 20).
Jansen was named to the Academic All-District team for the first time in her career after she tied for fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference in doubles and tied for sixth in the league in runs batted in. The elementary education major finished with seven doubles in 21 games in 2020 and now ranks in the top-10 in school history for career doubles. Jansen, a career .350 hitter, is an elementary education major at SIU.
All three honorees now advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot. Academic All-America® honorees will be announced from June 8-11. Southern’s three Academic All-District selections are its most in a season since 2011.
