SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco State junior Cara Spence was named to the 2012 Capital One District 8 All-Academic Softball Team on Thursday as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
 
A microbiology major from Colfax, Calif., Spence garnered the third academic award of her career after receiving scholar-athlete recognition by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) in 2010 and 2011.  She now advances to the Capital One Academic All-America team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be chosen later this month.
 
During the 2012 campaign, Spence started a team-high 50 games at first base, hitting .287 with one homer, seven doubles and 14 RBI.  The Colfax, Calif., native also ranked second among Gator regulars with a .988 fielding percentage, committing just four errors in 327 chances.
 
The District 8 component of the NCAA Division II affiliation includes those institutions that comprise the California Collegiate Athletic Association, Pacific West Conference and Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
 
To be considered for Academic All-America honors, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his or her own institution.  Nominated student-athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's game at the position listed on the nomination form.

Complete 2012 Academic All-District Softball Teams