May 7, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the third time in her career, senior first baseman Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif.) has earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District recognition. To qualify, the student-athlete must have at least a 3.30 GPA and either be a starter or key reserve player. All nominees are then voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America. A first team selection in 2007 and 2008, she is a second team selection in District II this year.
A two-year captain, Kinley has one of the most decorated careers in Nittany Lion softball history. A four-year starter, she has played in nearly 200 games. She has continually turned heads throughout the national circuit with multiple all-region honors and a second-team All-America nod her sophomore year. Her hitting prowess has been a force as she recently became the all-time doubles leader at 46. This, along with 12 home runs has helped her drive in 94 RBI which is eighth all-time. She is also top ten all-time in batting average as she has lit up opposing pitchers with 190 hits for a career average of .332 and an impressive slugging percentage of .479. This year, she was drafted to the Philadelphia Force in the National Professional Fast pitch league and since has made the transition from center field to first base.
Last year she was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team as well as earning Academic All-Big Ten honors. She will graduate this May with a degree in film and plans to do social work in New York City after this summer with the Force. She has also applied for grad school to master in social work starting next September.
Kinley and the rest of the Nittany Lions will close out the season with a double header at Ohio State. The first pitch will be at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.