STARKSVILLE, Miss. – A record-tying seven University of Hawai'i softball players were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athletes for the 2011 season. Alexandra Aguirre, Jori Jasper, Kelly Majam, Dara Pagaduan, Rachel Paragas, Stephanie Ricketts, and Sarah Robinson all were selected for their exceptional work in the classroom. 

Only 21 different Rainbow Wahine softball players have ever earned the prestigious honor since the award was established by the NFCA in 1998. To qualify, individuals must maintain a cumulative 3.50 GPA or higher for the fall and spring semesters combined. Just 10 players from Hawai'i have earned the award more than once—including current athletes Aguirre, Jasper, Majam, Pagaduan and Ricketts. The only other year the 'Bows had seven players be recognized by the NFCA was in 2009.
 
For Aguirre, it is her third NFCA scholar-athlete honor. A senior outfielder from Temple City, Calif., is an English major who started in 54 games as a junior in 2011. She finished the season with a .290 batting average and a team-high 12 stolen bases. Aguirre has also received Academic All-WAC honors all three seasons as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
 
Jasper, a sophomore first baseman from Lihu`e, Kaua`i was named to her second NFCA scholar-athete team. Jasper is in the Schidler School of Business majoring in entrepreneurship.

Majam earned her third NFCA scholar-athlete honor. She is a secondary education major who started all 55 games as a sophomore in 2011. Majam led UH with 11 doubles and 34 walks and was second on the team with 38 runs scored. Majam earned Academic All-WAC honors for two seasons 
 
Pagaduan and Ricketts were both named to their second NFCA scholar-athlete team after earning the award as freshman and most recently as juniors. Pagaduan, a Hawaiian major, started in 36 of 48 games played primarily at second base. Ricketts, a psychology major and two-time WAC Pitcher of the Year, posted a 22-11 record with a 1.58 ERA and a career-high 250 strike outs.
 
Paragas and Robinson earned their first NFCA scholar-athlete awards. Paragas is a biology major who appeared in 10 games and scored four runs on the season, while Robinson is in the Schidler School of Business in accounting. Robinson appeared in 43 games with 39 starts primarily at first base. She finished the season with a .248 batting average and a .982 fielding percentage.
 
The softball team kicks their fall season off with their annual Alumnae Game on Oct. 29 at 4:00 p.m. at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
 
To see the complete list of NFCA Scholar-Athletes for 2011 click here (scroll to below the team listing).