CHICAGO – Amanda Hainlen, a sophomore transfer from Heartland Community College in Normal, Ill., recently signed a letter of intent to continue both her athletic and academic career at Saint Xavier University as a member of the Cougar softball program. The Bloomington, Ill., native will join the SXU community for the 2012-13 academic year and compete for playing time on the field during the 2013 campaign.  Hainlen will be a first baseman/shortstop for the Hawks this spring under the direction of head coach John Bassett.   

CHICAGO – Denise Anderson, a senior outfielder at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colo., recently signed a letter of intent to continue both her athletic and academic career at Saint Xavier University as a member of the Cougar softball program. The Arvada, Colo., native will be a freshman at SXU next fall and compete for playing time on the field during the 2013 campaign.   

CHICAGO – With a team cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.496, the 2011 Saint Xavier University softball team was recently named among the NAIA Top 10 All-Academic Teams by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).  The Cougars finished fifth out of the top 10 teams listed for the NAIA.  Central Methodist University (Mo.) finished first in the rankings with a team GPA of 3.627.  Besides SXU, McKendree University was the only other NAIA team listed from Illinois with the Bearcats coming in at third overall with a grade-point average of 3.520.  The NFCA Academic Awards program honors both collegiate and high school teams for their submitted GPAs for the 2010-2011 academic year.