Columbia, Mo.--The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) named five University of Hawai`i softball players as 2006 Scholar-Athletes. Paula Blanning, Julie Franklin, Gail Matsushima, Brandi Peiler, and Clare Warwick all worked hard in the classroom as well as on the field to earn the honors.

Blanning, a pitcher from Berowra, NSW, Australia, graduated last Spring with a communications degree and a 3.587 GPA under her belt. She was named a NFCA Scholar-Athlete all four years while playing for the Rainbow Wahine. On the mound, she went 3-1 on the season with a 2.26 ERA. Blanning started 15 games, had three complete games, including two shut-outs with 43.1 innings pitched and 39 strike outs.

The other four awardees were all newcomers to the Rainbow Wahine squad last season. Julie Franklin, a freshman shortstop out of Temple City, Calif., posted a perfect 4.00 GPA. Franklin appeared in 19 games, starting in 12, mostly at shortstop. She hit .235 on the season.

Freshman Gail Matsushima accumulated a 3.855 GPA in business in her first year at UH. Matsushima played in 20 games with 7 starts primarily as the designated player. The Kailua, O`ahu native is a graduate of Punahou School.

Sophomore transfer Brandi Peiler made the most of her first year as a Rainbow Wahine. In the classroom, the Kamehameha Schools graduate from Mililani, O`ahu, compiled a 3.521 GPA in family resources. On the field, she hit a healthy .329 for the year, going 50-for-152 at the plate with three doubles, nine home runs, and 32 RBI. She earned a spot on the NFCA all-West Region second team.

Freshman Clare Warwick rounds out the five honorees. Warwick earned a 3.90 GPA in kinesiology while hitting .307 and starting 50 games at third base. She co-led the team in doubles with 12 and had the team-high in runs scored with 37.

To qualify, individuals must maintain a cumulative 3.50 GPA or higher for the fall and spring semesters combined.

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