Photo by: Andy Mead
Ricard Named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 26 Finalist
May 1, 2024 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Currently ranked in the top three nationally for six NCAA Division I statistical pitching categories, Boston University sophomore Kasey Ricard has been named a Top 26 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.
Highlighting the Top 26 Finalists are six graduate students, 10 seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores and one freshman hailing from 17 NCAA Division I universities and nine athletic conferences. The list of finalists include a diverse range of talent, comprised of 16 position players and 10 pitchers.
With the announcement, Ricard becomes the first Terrier and Patriot League representative to advance to the second round of the selection process. BU Athletic Hall of Famer April Setterlund ('11) and Ali DuBois ('21) were previously placed on USA Softball's Preseason Top 50 Watch List.
A native of Littleton, Massachusetts, Ricard is no stranger to Top 25 lists, as she was tabbed a finalist for the 2023 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award one year ago. This spring, she's the first student-athlete competing in the Northeast since 2013 and the first in New England since 2012 to be named to USA Softball's Top 25 List.
Highlighted by no-hitters this season against Coastal Carolina, Army West Point and Binghamton, Ricard leads the nation with 14 shutouts, four more than the next pitcher and six ahead of seven others. She also ranks third at 223 strikeouts and third with 23 victories.
On the awards front, the 2023 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and NFCA All-Region First Team honoree has claimed five PL Pitcher of the Week honors this year. More impressively, she's earned three NFCA National Pitcher of the Week awards, the most claimed by one individual since 2015.
USA Softball's list will be narrowed down to 10 athletes on May 15, followed by the Top 3 Finalists set to be released on May 20. The 2024 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 in Oklahoma City.
Highlighting the Top 26 Finalists are six graduate students, 10 seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores and one freshman hailing from 17 NCAA Division I universities and nine athletic conferences. The list of finalists include a diverse range of talent, comprised of 16 position players and 10 pitchers.
With the announcement, Ricard becomes the first Terrier and Patriot League representative to advance to the second round of the selection process. BU Athletic Hall of Famer April Setterlund ('11) and Ali DuBois ('21) were previously placed on USA Softball's Preseason Top 50 Watch List.
A native of Littleton, Massachusetts, Ricard is no stranger to Top 25 lists, as she was tabbed a finalist for the 2023 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award one year ago. This spring, she's the first student-athlete competing in the Northeast since 2013 and the first in New England since 2012 to be named to USA Softball's Top 25 List.
Highlighted by no-hitters this season against Coastal Carolina, Army West Point and Binghamton, Ricard leads the nation with 14 shutouts, four more than the next pitcher and six ahead of seven others. She also ranks third at 223 strikeouts and third with 23 victories.
On the awards front, the 2023 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and NFCA All-Region First Team honoree has claimed five PL Pitcher of the Week honors this year. More impressively, she's earned three NFCA National Pitcher of the Week awards, the most claimed by one individual since 2015.
USA Softball's list will be narrowed down to 10 athletes on May 15, followed by the Top 3 Finalists set to be released on May 20. The 2024 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 in Oklahoma City.
Players Mentioned
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