MARTIN, Tenn. - After a season that saw records fall and a number of program firsts recorded, The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team added another first today. Paij Lintz, the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, and Laura Roberts became the first Skyhawk softball players named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team. The Skyhawk duo were the only OVC representatives on the 33-person Academic All-America Team, while UT Martin joins the University of Florida as the only schools with multiple selections.

"I am very pleases to see these ladies recognized for their academic success," said Skyhawk head coach Donley Canary. "The on field success they both had speaks for itself but their ability to perform so well in the classroom as well demonstrates how they are true student-athletes.

Lintz, from Lewisburg, Tenn., was an International Studies, History and Philosophy major with a perfect 4.00 GPA. In addition to earning a spot on the All-America Team, Lintz was also named to the ESPN The Magazine All-District Team and has been a member of the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll every year of her career and twice earned the OVC Medal of honor.

On the field Lintz rewrote the Skyhawk record books this year, en route to earning the league's top pitcher award and spots on the All-OVC First Team and NFCA All-Central Region Team. She compiled a conference-leading record of 25-3 while becoming the Skyhawks' all-time winningest pitcher and career strikeouts leader in the process. She finished the year with 174 strikeouts and had seven or more strikeouts in a game nine times, while also tossing 19 complete games with five shutouts.

Lintz tallied six one-hit outings and picked up two saves, increasing her career record total to eight. Lintz was three times named the OVC Pitcher of the Week, which led all the pitchers in the conference, and is ranked among the top 20 in the NCAA for victories this year in addition to ranking among the national top 100 for ERA and shutouts.

Roberts, from Johnston City, Ill., was an Integrated Educational Studies major with a 3.90 GPA. In addition to being named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team for the first time, Roberts has been a member of the Academic All-Region team the last two seasons. Her academic accolades that also include an OVC Medal of Honor and three selections to the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll are in addition to earning a spot on the All-OVC First Team this year and being a three-time all-conference selection in her career.

On the field this season Roberts hit .327 with 54 hits, 38 RBI and nine home runs, while also making a midseason move from left field to second base where she had a fielding percentage of .941. During the season Roberts also put herself atop many of the UT Martin career records, including games played (235), home runs (29), runs scored (126), RBI (132), extra base hits (74) and walks (61).

Canary added about Lintz and Roberts that, "It has been a great honor to have both Paij and Laura in our program for the last four years. Both of them have represented both our team and the university very well."



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