SIU baseball may have struggled on the field in 2015, but it had another strong semester in the classroom, earning the second-highest combined GPA in program history.

The team’s 3.28 GPA average in Fall 2015 is second only to last season’s squad, which earned a 3.31 in Fall 2014.

SIU coach Ken Henderson said the coaching staff stresses academics as a top priority.

“We set a goal every semester and the players take great pride in trying to achieve it,” he said. “It comes back to recruiting for us, as well, because we know if they work hard in the classroom, they’ll work hard out on the field.”

Twenty-three of the 32 players on the roster have a 3.0 GPA or higher, with junior infielder Ryan Sabo leading the way with a perfect 4.0.

The Salukis have earned 13 Scholar-Athlete awards since Henderson took over the program in 2011.

“I’m very proud of this group, and they’re perfect representations of what it takes to be a quality student-athlete,” Henderson said.

SIU opens the 2016 season with a three-game series against McNeese State on Feb. 19.

Ted Ward can be reached at [email protected] or 534-3303