WALTHAM, Mass. — Brandeis University sophomores Marianne Specker of So. Windsor, Conn., and Brittany Grimm of Perkiomenville, Pa., have both been selected to the 2010 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Specker was a second-team All-District I selection in the outfield, while Grimm was named a third team outfielder. Members of the Academic All-District team represent Division II and III colleges and universities from New England and New York. All nominees boast cumulative grade-point averages of at least 3.30.

Specker, who also spent time playing first base this season, finished second on the team with a .412 batting average, 11 doubles and 35 RBI. She also had three home runs and was selected as the University Athletic Association (UAA) Player of the Week for May 3. Specker boasts a 3.92 GPA as a history and psychology double-major. She is a two-time Dean's List member and was named to the UAA All-Academic team this season. Specker has received a Brandeis Friends and Alumni Scholarship as well.

Grimm was a first-team All-UAA outfielder who also played some shortstop early in the season. after leading the Judges in hitting with a .432 batting average (fifth in the UAA), base hits with 51 and total bases with 83 (third in the UAA). Grimm also finished second on the team and third in the conference in slugging (.703) and runs scored (40). Grimm had 10 doubles, two triples and six home runs and was named UAA Player of the Week on March 28. She was also a member of the UAA All-Tournament team and the UAA All-Academic squad. Grimm carries a 3.36 GPA as a studio art major with minors in Hispanic studies and business.

Under the leadership of UAA Coaches of the Year Jessica Johnson and Melissa Dubay, the Brandeis softball team ended the regular season with a record of 27-7-1, setting a school-record with a .786 winning percentage. The Judges earned their first-ever national ranking from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, reaching as high as No. 14 in Division III on two occasions. The Judges, who were ranked second in the New England region for most of the season, are poised to earn the program's first-ever NCAA Division III softball tournament berth.

 Specker is a 2008 graduate of the Westminster School. She is the daughter of Ken and Carol Specker, Windsor, Conn.

Grimm is a 2008 graduate of Perkiomen Valley High School. She is the daughter of Kevin and Marie Grimm, Perkiomenville, Pa.

For more information on Brandeis softball, please visit our web site at http://www.brandeisjudges.com/sports/spring/soft.