Bridget Holloway and sophomore Claire Bailey have been recognized for their performances both in the field and in the classroom by being named to the 2012 Capital One Softball Academic All-America Second Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Holloway, who recently completed her senior season, enjoyed a solid final year in an Eagle uniform, posting a won-lost ledger of 18-2 in the circle with her victory total tying for sixth on the school's seasonal list.  Named as the University Athletic Association's (UAA) Most Valuable Player, Holloway tossed 128 innings and struck out 88 batters while allowing just 10 walks.  She finished with an ERA of 1.64 and recorded 13 complete games in 20 starts.  She fanned a season-high eight batters on two occasions and pocketed a win in the NCAA Tournament with a three-hit, complete-game gem vs. McDaniel.  Career-wise, Holloway finished second all-time at Emory with 61 victories and ranked second in innings pitched (476) and fifth in strikeouts (323).

Academically, Holloway was nominated with a 3.63 grade-point average with a double major in Women's Studies and History.   

Bailey, a starter at second base in all 39 Emory's games, posted a .375 hitting mark with 23 RBIs.  She collected 45 hits, third on the team, and was sixth with 27 runs scored.  She proved to be effective in moving runners along with her 11 sacrifice hits leading the squad.  She chalked up 12 multi-hit outings, third on the team, and knocked in two or more runs on five occasions.  Her 11-game hitting streak (Mar. 14-Apr. 21) was the longest by an Emory player during the year and she closed out the regular season by hitting safely in 15 of Emory's last 16 contests.

Bailey, a Biology major, earned her spot on the team with an outstanding 3.97 GPA. 

Holloway and Bailey become the fifth and sixth different Emory softball players to garner Academic All-America acclaim, joining Brittany Boeshore (2011), Sarah Morse (2005, 2006, 2007),  Melissa Roberts (2001 & 2003) and Mary Nicol (2003).

To be eligible for the Academic All-America honor, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution, be voted to the first team of the all-district team and be nominated by his sports information director. Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.

For more information about the ESPN Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.