University of Minnesota Athletics
Groenewegen Named National POY Finalist
5/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Top-10 List
For a second straight year Sara Groenewegen has been named a top-10 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, the Amateur Softball Association of America and USA Softball announced Wednesday.
The Top 3 Finalists will be announced May 25, while the winner of the 2016 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be revealed on May 31 prior to the start of the NCAA WCWS in Oklahoma City. The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, which is considered the most prestigious honor in Division I women's collegiate softball, recognizes the outstanding athletic achievement by female players across the country.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award is voted on by coaching representatives from 10 Division I Conferences in the 15 ASA Regions, members of the media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country as well as past winners of the award.
Groenewegen is one of the top two-way players in the country. In the circle she has thrown a 1.88 ERA with a 27-5 overall record. She has the second most victories in the country and is fourth in strikeouts per game averaging 10.3 with 284 total strikeouts. She has thrown 19 complete games, six shutouts, three no-hitters and a perfect game.
At the plate Groenewegen hits right in the heart of the Maroon and Gold lineup. She is hitting a .317 with seven doubles and 10 home runs for 37 RBI. She has a slugging percentage of .618. She has been walked a team leading 35 times and has a team leading on base percentage of .491 having reached base in 22 straight games.
On top of being tabbed a Player of the Year finalist, Groenewegen has racked up the honors this season. She has won five B1G Pitcher of the Week honors, two B1G Player of the week honors, two Louisville Slugger / NFCA Pitcher of the Week plaudits, an espnW Player of the Week award and was a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten first-team.
Groenewegen and the Gophers head to the Big Ten Tournament this weekend playing in Penn State. They have a bye in the first round and will play the winner of Illinois-Michigan State on Friday at 1:30 p.m.
