The National Fast Pitch Coaches Association honored the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team for their success in the classroom.

The Panthers, as a team, posted a 3.1 GPA during the 2015-16 academic year. The NFCA also honored Emily Fair, Meagan Hillard, Nicole Nolte and Natalie Harding, naming the four NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes. Athletes must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher in order to be eligible for the honor.

With the four new individual awards, a total of 44 players have earned NFCA All-American honors during head coach Tina Phillips' tenure.

"I am incredibly proud of Emily, Meagan, Natalie and Nicole, as well as the entire team for their academic success this season," Phillips said. "They represent our softball program and university in such a positive way. Balancing the grind of playing a sport and excelling in the classroom is an achievement to be proud of. It's a great honor for the four of them and something they should really be proud of."