University of Minnesota Athletics
Groenewegen Named Player of Year Finalist
4/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ASA/USA Softball Release
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Minnesota softball sophomore Sara Groenewegen was named a top-26 finalist for the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced Wednesday. Due to a tie, 26 individuals have been named as the top-26 finalists for the award, which is considered the most prestigious honor in Division I women's collegiate softball and recognizes the outstanding athletic achievement by female players across the country.
Groenewegen, one of three underclassmen on the top-26 list, has helped lead the Gophers to a 30-7 start to the season, both in the pitching circle and at the plate. She is one of two finalists from the Big Ten.
After being named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year as well as a top-10 NFCA National Freshman of the Year finalist in her rookie season in 2014, the White Rock, B.C. native has picked up where she left off this year. Groenewegen has been the Gophers' ace, pitching her way to a 19-4 record with a 1.50 ERA. She ranks seventh nationally in strikeouts with 207 and is ninth in the country with 19 wins.
As a hitter, Groenewegen is hitting .358 with a .457 on-base percentage and a .606 slugging percentage. She has racked up 39 hits, seven of which have been home runs.
Groenewegen and teammate Kaitlyn Richardson were among the 50 student-athletes selected to the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award Top 50 Watch List in January. Richardson and 2014 senior Sara Moulton were top-25 finalists for the award last year.
The list will be narrowed to the top 10 Finalists May 6 and the top three finalists will be announced May 20. The winner of the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be revealed May 26 prior to the start of the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
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