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Photo by: Bjorn Franke
Oakland Named a Top 26 USA Softball Player of the Year Finalist
5/1/2024 11:31:00 AM | Softball
The shortstop is the first Gopher to be nominated for the honor since Amber Fiser (2019)
OKLAHOMA CITY - Sophomore shortstop Jess Oakland was named a Top 26 Finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award, it was announced on Wednesday by USA Softball.
This prestigious award recognizes exceptional athletic performance throughout the entire softball season and is considered the highest individual honor in Division I collegiate softball.
Oakland's abilities have helped the sophomore to a team and conference best average of 0.455, which ranks sixth nationally and second in a single-season in program history. She also ranks 10th nationally in hits (71), sixth in home runs (19), is third in slugging percentage (0.923), and fourth in total bases (144).
So far this season, the shortstop picked up two Big Ten Player of the Week honors (April 21, May1) and was also recognized as NFCA Player of the week (March 5).
The San Jose, Calif., native is the first Golden Gopher to be nominated for the award since ace pitcher, Amber Fiser (2019).
Oakland is the lone Big Ten softball player listed among the other top 26 finalists. She is one of seven sophomores and is nominated alongside players that hail from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Mid American Conference (MAC), Patriot League and Sunbelt. The list is comprised of 16 position players and 10 pitchers.
The Top 26 Finalists will be narrowed down to 10 athletes on May 15, followed by the Top 3 Finalists set to be released on May 20. The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed prior to the Women's College World Series, which is scheduled to take place May 30 - June 7 at the Softball Capital of the World®.
This prestigious award recognizes exceptional athletic performance throughout the entire softball season and is considered the highest individual honor in Division I collegiate softball.
Oakland's abilities have helped the sophomore to a team and conference best average of 0.455, which ranks sixth nationally and second in a single-season in program history. She also ranks 10th nationally in hits (71), sixth in home runs (19), is third in slugging percentage (0.923), and fourth in total bases (144).
So far this season, the shortstop picked up two Big Ten Player of the Week honors (April 21, May1) and was also recognized as NFCA Player of the week (March 5).
The San Jose, Calif., native is the first Golden Gopher to be nominated for the award since ace pitcher, Amber Fiser (2019).
Oakland is the lone Big Ten softball player listed among the other top 26 finalists. She is one of seven sophomores and is nominated alongside players that hail from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Mid American Conference (MAC), Patriot League and Sunbelt. The list is comprised of 16 position players and 10 pitchers.
The Top 26 Finalists will be narrowed down to 10 athletes on May 15, followed by the Top 3 Finalists set to be released on May 20. The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed prior to the Women's College World Series, which is scheduled to take place May 30 - June 7 at the Softball Capital of the World®.
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