TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Indiana State baseball team led all of the men's athletic programs in the classroom this fall, posting a 3.42 Team Grade Point Average during the first semester of the 2012-13 academic year.

"I'm really proud of the guys. Not only have they put in a great offseason on the field, but turning in a 3.42 team GPA is exceptional," said head coach Rick Heller. "It's not easy to be a Division I student-athlete. Balancing academics and athletics is a real challenge and to do it as well as our players have is outstanding.

"Assistant coach Tyler Herbst is in charge of academic affairs in our office and has done a wonderful job of monitoring our players. A lot of credit goes to Marlon Dechausay in our Athletic Academic Services Department and the awesome support our players receive from them on campus.

"We have a group of players who take pride in doing everything well. It shows on the field, in the classroom and in the community. We have a great group of student-athletes who take care of their business."

Redshirt seniors Tyler Fehringer and Koby Kraemer, redshirt junior Tyler Browning and junior transfer A.J. McElderry led the team, all finishing with a perfect 4.0 GPAs this fall. In all, 28 members of 34-man roster ended the fall with at least a 3.0 GPA in the classroom.

Indiana State tied for the Missouri Valley Conference lead last season, earning three First Team Academic All-MVC selections and five total MVC Scholar-Athlete picks.

The Indiana State baseball team begins their 2013 season on Feb. 15-17, playing four games in Huntsville, Ala. The defending MVC Regular Season champions, the Sycamores have four home series in league play, hosting Southern Illinois (March 22-24), Creighton (April 12-14), Evansville (May 3-5) and Bradley (May 16-18) on Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium this upcoming season.