Trio Earns Academic All-District Recognition, Blaine Academic All-American Finalist
May 29, 2025 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State softball saw three student-athletes named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team this week.
The Bulldogs were represented by Jessie Blaine, Morgan Bernardini and Riley Hull. Hull is a three-time all-district honoree, and Blaine was also named to the all-district team last year. Blaine, who was an NFCA Second Team All-Region selection, was chosen as a finalist for the CSC Academic All-America team and now advances to a national ballot to be voted on by CSC members.
Blaine, who graduated this spring with a degree in communications, was recently accepted into law school at the University of Tennessee. She earned her first CSC honor last year after transferring to State from Auburn. She has been named to the SEC Honor Roll every year of her career and received NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete recognition in 2024. Blaine played in every game this year between catcher and designated player. She ranked second on the team in both on-base percentage and walks and third on the team in batting average. She was even more impressive behind the plate, picking off a nation-leading five runners this season.
Â
Bernardini is pursuing a degree in human development and family science. She too has been named to the SEC Honor Roll every year of her career thus far and was recognized as a NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete in 2024. On the field, Bernardini played in all 58 games this season, starting 56 in left field. She was tied for third on the team in multi-hit games and was fourth in doubles.
Â
Hull completed her degree in business administration and played in every game this season. She started 57 of the 58 contests at first base and stole a career-high seven bases in her final season. She has been named to the SEC Honor Roll and an NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete in every year of her career. She has earned CSC Academic All-District honors every year (freshmen are ineligible).
With Blaine advancing to the Academic All-America ballot, State will have a chance to claim its ninth Academic All-American in program history. Most recently, Mia Davidson was named a Second Team Academic All-American in 2022. Additionally, MSU transfer signee Alyssa Faircloth earned all-district honors for Troy this spring and is on the Academic All-American ballot.
The Academic All-America program was created in 1952. The voting process was updated in the summer of 2022, raising the minimum GPA and athletic participation standards. Student-athletes must post a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 and have played 90 percent of a team's games or started in 66 percent to be eligible. Â Pitchers must have made 17 appearances or thrown 15.0 innings. Freshmen are not eligible, and each school is limited to five nominations.
Â
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Â
Â
The Bulldogs were represented by Jessie Blaine, Morgan Bernardini and Riley Hull. Hull is a three-time all-district honoree, and Blaine was also named to the all-district team last year. Blaine, who was an NFCA Second Team All-Region selection, was chosen as a finalist for the CSC Academic All-America team and now advances to a national ballot to be voted on by CSC members.
Blaine, who graduated this spring with a degree in communications, was recently accepted into law school at the University of Tennessee. She earned her first CSC honor last year after transferring to State from Auburn. She has been named to the SEC Honor Roll every year of her career and received NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete recognition in 2024. Blaine played in every game this year between catcher and designated player. She ranked second on the team in both on-base percentage and walks and third on the team in batting average. She was even more impressive behind the plate, picking off a nation-leading five runners this season.
Â
Bernardini is pursuing a degree in human development and family science. She too has been named to the SEC Honor Roll every year of her career thus far and was recognized as a NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete in 2024. On the field, Bernardini played in all 58 games this season, starting 56 in left field. She was tied for third on the team in multi-hit games and was fourth in doubles.
Â
Hull completed her degree in business administration and played in every game this season. She started 57 of the 58 contests at first base and stole a career-high seven bases in her final season. She has been named to the SEC Honor Roll and an NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete in every year of her career. She has earned CSC Academic All-District honors every year (freshmen are ineligible).
With Blaine advancing to the Academic All-America ballot, State will have a chance to claim its ninth Academic All-American in program history. Most recently, Mia Davidson was named a Second Team Academic All-American in 2022. Additionally, MSU transfer signee Alyssa Faircloth earned all-district honors for Troy this spring and is on the Academic All-American ballot.
The Academic All-America program was created in 1952. The voting process was updated in the summer of 2022, raising the minimum GPA and athletic participation standards. Student-athletes must post a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 and have played 90 percent of a team's games or started in 66 percent to be eligible. Â Pitchers must have made 17 appearances or thrown 15.0 innings. Freshmen are not eligible, and each school is limited to five nominations.
Â
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. Washington
Saturday, May 17
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. Texas Tech
Saturday, May 17
SOFTBALL | Raelin Chaffin ESPN2 Postgame Interview
Saturday, May 17
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. Washington
Friday, May 16