CSUB senior first baseman Sara Smith (Northridge, Calif., Biola Univ.), who is pursuing her master's in health care administration, led the way for the Roadrunners with a 3.95 GPA. The remaining nine 'Runners named to the Honor Roll for CSUB were: junior center fielder Laura King (Camarillo, Calif., UNLV), who posted a 3.58 GPA while studying marketing and management; sophomore pitcher/infielder Taylor DeSilva (Sunnyvale, Calif., Univ. of Pacific), who recorded a 3.53 GPA while majoring in kinesiology; senior catcher Tera Macias (Los Banos, Calif, San Jose CC), who notched a 3.47 GPA in accounting; sophomore infielder Amy Ricciardi (Chino Hills, Calif., Ayala HS), a business management major with a 3.33 GPA; freshman outfielder Bree Sandoval (La Verne, Calif., Bonita HS), who posted a 3.28 GPA and is a psychology major; freshman outfielder Mel Martinez (Orange County, Calif., El Modena HS), who recorded a 3.28 GPA while studying kinesiology; redshirt freshman Amy Paolercio (Fresno, Calif., Fresno Pacific), a business management major with a 3.23 GPA; freshman outfielder Nicole Sanchez, who tallied a 3.17 GPA and is majoring in nursing; and Emily Bliss (Northridge, Calif., Chaminade Prep), a redshirt junior second baseman and designated player, who posted a 3.16 GPA while majoring in liberal studies.

The 10 CSUB players named to the Honor Roll in 2012 under first-year head coach Crissy Buck is an increase from seven in 2011. Bliss has been named to the Honor Roll all four years at CSUB, while King, Macias and Ricciardi have each been honored twice.

Ten schools had at least 10 student-athletes named to the Honor Roll, led by PCSC Champion Portland State with 15. Northern Colorado and San Diego each placed 14 on the Honor Roll, while Sacramento State and Weber State each had 13, Idaho State had 12, Santa Clara and Utah Valley had 11 each and CSUB and Loyola Marymount had 10 apiece.

Sacramento State senior first baseman Alyssa Nakken was awarded as the 2012 PCSC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The award was voted on by members of the PCSC Executive Committee and nominees were judged on academic and athletic accomplishments and community service involvement. Nakken graduated Magna Cum Laude in May after posting a 3.76 cumulative GPA in psychology. She posted a .304 career batting average with 19 home runs and 83 RBIs. In the community, Nakken has spent time working with the Woodland Volunteer Food Closet, which provides food for the needy.

~www.GoRunners.com~