April 25, 2018
OKLAHOMA CITY - Auburn senior right-handed pitcher Kaylee Carlson has been named one of the top 25 finalists for the 2018 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
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 Division I female players across the country.
Carlson is one of 12 pitchers on the list and one of seven players from the SEC, joining Florida's Kelly Barnhill and Amanda Lorenz, Georgia's Alyssa DiCarlo and Cortni Emanuel and Tennessee's Meghan Gregg and Aubrey Leach.
Carlson, Auburn's all-time wins leader, has been stellar in the circle for the 12th-ranked Tigers in 2018, tossing her way to a 19-4 record while posting a program-best 0.92 ERA, which ranks fourth in the SEC and 13th nationally this season. The Garden Grove, Calif. product's career ERA of 1.48 is also the lowest mark in Auburn history.
Prior to the start of postseason play, the top 10 finalists will be announced May 9th while the top three will be announced May 23rd. The award winner will be revealed May 29th.
Carlson will look to lead the Tigers to their sixth SEC series win of the year this weekend in College Station, Texas, against the 11th-ranked Aggies to close out the SEC regular season slate.
2018 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 25 Finalists
Jocelyn Alo - Oklahoma | Utility | Fr.
Taran Alvelo - Washington | Pitcher | Jr.
Kelly Barnhill - Florida | Pitcher | Jr.
Sis Bates - Washington | Infield | So.
Meghan Beaubien - Michigan | Pitcher | Fr.
Kaylee Carlson - Auburn | Pitcher | Sr.
Alyssa DiCarlo - Georgia | Infield | Jr.
Miranda Elish - Oregon | Pitcher | So.
Cortni Emanuel - Georgia | Outfield | Sr.
Rachel Garcia - UCLA | Pitcher | So.
Meghan Gregg - Tennessee | Infield | Sr.
Kylee Hanson - Florida State | Pitcher | Sr.
Aaliyah Jordan - UCLA | Outfield | Fr.
G Juarez - Arizona State | Pitcher | So.
Megan Kleist - Oregon | Pitcher | Jr.
Aubrey Leach - Tennessee | Infield | Jr.
Amanda Lorenz - Florida | Outfield | Jr.
Nicole Newman - Drake | Pitcher | Jr.
Paige Parker - Oklahoma | Pitcher | Sr.
Lilli Piper - Ohio State | Infield | Jr.
Sydney Romero - Oklahoma | Infield | Jr.
Randi Rupp - Texas State | Pitcher | Sr.
Jessie Scroggins - Baylor | Outfield | Sr.
Vanessa Shippy - Oklahoma State | Utility | Sr.
Holly Speers - Kent State | Infield | Sr.