May 27, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Senior Ashton Payne earned third-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors, earning a spot on one of the national teams for the second straight year, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) released Wednesday.

The Richmond, Va., product finished her four-year career in the top 10 in South Carolina history in triples and stolen bases and in the top 15 in both hits and batting average. A knee injury shortened her final season to 26 games, but she still managed to tie for the team lead in triples. She also was perfect in the field, not committing an error during her time at second base and in left field.

Payne, a second-team member a season ago, joins Ashley Smith (2004-06) as the only multi-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans in program history. Payne also was South Carolina’s nominee for the Southeastern Conference’s H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

Florida led all teams with two first-team selections and four team members overall.