University of Tennessee Athletics
Erin Gabriel Named Academic All-American
May 29, 2015 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Tennessee junior pitcher Erin Gabriel was named to the 2015 Capital One Academic All-America® Division I softball team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Gabriel, who was named to the third team, becomes the 13th Academic All-American in Tennessee history and the program's 23rd selection. She continues Tennessee softball's rich tradition of excellence both on the field and in the classroom. UT's past Academic All-Americans include Tracy Reidhead (1997), Jodi Ramirez (1998), Kenyail Norris (1999), Lindsay Schutzler (2005, 2006, 2007), India Chiles (2007), Lillian Hammond (2007, 2008, 2009), Megan Rhodes (2008), Tiffany Huff (2009, 2010), Jen Lapicki (2009), Raven Chavanne (2011, 2012, 2013), Ellen Renfroe (2012, 2013, 2014) and Madison Shipman (2013, 2014).
Gabriel, who is majoring in Nutrition, has a team-high 3.98 cumulative GPA. She was previously named to the Capital One Academic All-District 3 team in 2014 and 2015. Gabriel was also named to the 2014 Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll and earned freshman accolades on the 2013 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
On the field, Gabriel is enjoying the best season of her career. She is 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA and 157 strikeouts over 137.1 innings and she has held opposing hitters to a .214 batting average. Gabriel threw a 16-strikeout, seven-inning no-hitter against Illinois State on March 10 and tossed a five-strikeouts, five-inning perfect game against ETSU on March 24. She became the fourth Tennessee pitcher to throw two no-hitters in the same season, joining greats Monica Abbott (four in 2004, six in 2005, six in 2006, seven in 2007), Megan Rhodes (two in 2005) and Ivy Renfroe (two in 2011, two in 2012).
She has played a major role in Tennessee's late-season success from the SEC Tournament to the Women's College World Series. Over the last 11 games, Gabriel has made nine appearances with five starts, going 3-1 with a 2.29 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 33.2 innings. She has limited opposing hitters to a .163 batting average over that stretch.
To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
