GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Sophomore
Jocelyn Erickson and junior
Korbe Otis of the Florida softball team were named 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 26 Finalists early Wednesday afternoon.
Erickson and Otis have made an immediate impact since arriving to the program as the duo has played in all 51 games for the Gators (39-12) this season.
Otis has played and started in all 51 games at left field while wearing the Orange & Blue. The Littleton, Co., leads UF with a .440 batting average, which ranks first in the Southeastern Conference and 13
th overall nationally, and ranks third in the conference in runs scored (55) and hits (59). Additionally, she holds top 10 ranks in RBI (40 – 9
th), triples (3 – 8
th) and leads the league in walks (44). She also leads the nation with a .576 on base percentage.
Erickson has been a mainstay behind the plate at catcher this year for Florida. The Phoenix, Ariz., native is one of the nations best defensive catchers as she has thrown out 11 of the 15 runners that have attempted to steal so far this season. In addition to her defense, Erickson also has shown dominance at the plate as she boasts a .398 batting average with a league leading and nation's sixth best 64 RBI.
The talented left-handed hitter also ranks in the top 10 of the SEC in runs scored (38 – 10
th), hits (56 – 7
th), doubles (12 – 5
th), total bases (98 – 5
th) and leads the SEC in SAC flies with six on the year.
Lauren Haeger & Kelly Barnhill are the only Gators to have won the prestigious award. Haeger earned the title in 2015 after leading Florida to the program's second national championship and Barnhill secured the honor after having a historic season in 2017.
The Top 25 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 2023 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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