RICHARDSON, Texas (June 23) -- Central Oklahoma softball star Alli Blake and golf standout Chance Tatum have been named as Lone Star Conference Scholar-Athlete Award winners for the 2007-08 academic year, the league office announced Monday.

 

The LSC presents a Scholar-Athlete Award to one male and one female student-athlete at each member institution every year.  These student-athletes are selected for their outstanding accomplishments in athletics, scholarship and leadership, must have participated at least two years in their sport and must have exhausted their athletic eligibility.

 

Blake was a four-year pitching sensation for the Bronchos, setting a school career record for saves (18) while finishing second in wins (67), strikeouts (437) and innings pitched (661 2/3).  A Putnam City North High School product, she was a two-time LSC North Division Pitcher of the year winner and a three-time Academic All-LSC North Division pick.

 

Blake, who was named LSC North Division Academic Player of the Year for the second consecutive season this year, went 16-8 with seven saves and a 2.05 earned run average in 2008 as UCO finished 36-16 and advanced to the NCAA Division II national tournament.

 

Tatum was a three-year starter for the Bronchos and ended his career with a 74.3 scoring average in 30 tournaments in helping lead UCO to three straight Division II regional tournament appearances.

 

A state champion as a senior at Pawnee High School, Tatum had a 74.0 average for the 2007-08 year with five top-15 tournament finishes.  He was a second-team All-LSC choice this season.