LOWELL, MA (Apr. 24, 2007) – Seniors Melissa Hanafin (Burlington, MA) and Kristen Mahoney (Burlington, MA), along junior Julie Brodie (Chelmsford, MA) were named to the Northeast-10 Conference Softball All-Academic Team, released Tuesday.

The honor was the second in as many years for Mahoney and Brodie, who were each named to the 2006 First Team while Hanafin, enjoying her first honor, was cited to the Third Team.

UMass Lowell is currently 20-18 overall (15-7 in the NE-10, fifth), enjoying its 10th straight season in which it has won 20 or more games. UML makes its regular season home farewell Thursday at 3:00 against Assumption and wraps the regular season on the road Saturday and Sunday at Saint Rose and Le Moyne.

A psychology major, Mahoney has been equally impressive on the mound as she has been in the classroom, sporting a 3.505 grade point average. This season, she has compiled an 11-7 record with an impressive 1.56 ERA over 130.1 innings.

UML’s all-time leader in strikeouts (525) and victories (63), Mahoney ranks among NE-10 leaders in both categories (second and third, respectively), along with innings pitched (first), strikeouts by looking (38, first) and opposing batting average (fifth, .202).

Mahoney has also given plenty back to the UML campus, serving as the chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Also enjoying a solid year, the honor is the second major academic honor for Brodie in a matter of weeks. The second baseman was named the recipient of the National Student-Athlete Day honor for softball as she has maintained a 3.88 average in health education.

On the field, Brodie is currently batting .309 with 20 runs, 14 RBI and 15 walks, making for a team-high on-base percentage of .402. She currently ranks among NE-10 leaders in walks (tied for second), runs (seventh) and on-base rate (12th).

An unsung player, Hanafin has also performed admirably for the River Hawks, especially on the defensive side. She currently ranks second among NE-10 leaders in runners caught stealing (13) and runners picked off (two).

Offensively, Hanafin is currently hitting .277 with 11 RBI and a pair of home runs. A business administration major, she has maintained a 3.27 average.