Bell, Leo collect Academic All-District accolades

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Seniors Emily Bell and Camrey Leo become the first pair to earn College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District accolades in the same season for the Simpson College softball program since 2004.

Bell and Leo are just the third instance in team history to have two Academic All-District recipients, joining the tandems of Katie Brandt and Bradi Smith (2004), and Sara Kahler and Brandt (2003).

Bell posted a 3.89 grade-point average as a management and psychology major and Leo carried a 3.94 GPA while majoring in criminal justice.

Inside the circle, Bell went 3-6 this season in 15 appearances. She worked 54.1 innings to tally 50 strikeouts. In her career, the Aurora, Colorado native recorded 26 wins and over 230 strikeouts. The two-time all-conference second team performer amassed a 2.82 ERA in 58 appearances.

The Altoona, Iowa native finished fifth on the team with a .356 batting clip in her final season with Simpson. Leo ended the 2021 slate with 37 hits, seven doubles, three home runs, two triples and 16 RBIs as the team's primary leadoff hitter. The 2021 All-American Rivers Conference Second Team selection finished with 61 career hits and a .969 fielding percentage in 66 outings while roaming the outfield for head coach Brent Matthias.

Bell and Leo will now be placed on the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced in late July.