May 13, 2004

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State University junior Kelly Birk, pitcher and designated hitter, has been named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District softball team.

Birk, who has a 2.04 earned run average while hitting a team-high .336 was selected to the Academic All-District team as a pitcher. She has pitched 92.2 inning, allowing 88 hits and 27 earned runs.

Originally from Huntington Beach, Calif., Birk maintains a 3.818 cumulative grade point average while majoring in biology.

Being selected to first team All-District puts Birk on the national ballot for Academic All-America as selected by CoSIDA.

"This is a tremendous honor for Kelly," said Southeast coach Lana Richmond. "She has been our top hitter and pitcher this season while doing an outstanding job in the classroom. She is a tremendous scholar-athlete."

Southeast is competing in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament and won an opening round game against Tennessee Tech, 3-0, on Thursday.