Elyria’s Tess Sito, a sophomore pitcher at Cleveland State, has been named to the Capital One Academic All-District IV team in a voting of the membership of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Sito, who owns a 3.72 grade point average majoring in communication, is the top all-around player in the Horizon League this year, owning a 24-14 record and 1.58 ERA with 278 strikeouts as a pitcher while ranking among the league leaders with a .364 batting average.

"It is a honor that Tess received this award because it shows the balance that she has in her every day life, being able to excel on the softball diamond and in the class room at the same time," CSU head coach Angie Nicholson said. "She plays on a team that is filled with championship caliber student-athletes who are also committed to performing at the highest level in the class room as well. This honor means a lot to our team."

Sito was the 2010 Horizon League Player of the Year after hitting .409 with a school record 18 home runs, 51 runs scored and 45 RBIs. She has taken on the additional role as the No. 1 pitcher on the squad, becoming just the fourth player in school history to win 20 games in a season. She currently leads the Horizon League in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched (260 2/3).

The Academic All-America program honors male and female student-athletes annually who have succeeded at the highest level on the playing field and in the classroom. Individuals are selected through voting by CoSIDA, a 2,000 member organization consisting of sports public relations professionals for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached at least sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. District IV consists of the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.

swalker@MorningJournal.com