Courtesy Bridgewater State Sports Information

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – For the second straight year, Bridgewater State University junior second baseman Michaela Ferreira has been selected as a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-America Scholar Athlete.

Ferreira started all 41 games for the Bears in 2011.  The Fall River, Massachusetts native batted .366 (37-101) with five doubles, two triples, 15 runs scored and 23 RBI.  She also walked 21 times, was hit by a pitch eight times and sported an impressive .508 on base percentage.

Ferreira played in 36 games at second base, four at shortstop and one in the outfield while batting anywhere from third to seventh in the lineup.  She ranked second in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) in both walks and on base percentage and was fifth in batting and runs batted in.

In the classroom, Ferreira boasts an impressive 3.95 grade point average and has been named to the Dean's List in each of her first six semesters at Bridgewater State.  Michaela is majoring in Physical Education with a Teachers Licensure concentration. 

This past spring, Ferreira was voted to the Capital One Academic All-District One College Division Softball Team by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). As a freshman in 2009, Michaela was selected to the MASCAC All-Conference First Team as a utility player.

A career .328 hitter (87-265), Ferreira has driven in 51 runs and scored 44 in 110 career games.  She also has 13 doubles, five triples and a home run to her credit along with 16 stolen bases.

To qualify for the NFCA academic honor, student-athletes must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA.