OKLAHOMA CITY – UL Lafayette's Lexie Elkins and UL Monroe's Rochelle Roberts were named two of 25 finalists for the 2016 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year today by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball.
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.
Roberts was one of nine in the top-25 who was not on the original top-50 “watch list” which was released Feb. 3. The lefty from Vacaville, California, boasts a .515 batting average, the second-highest in Division I.
One of the toughest outs in college softball, Roberts has the 16th-highest on-base percentage (.556). Roberts, also known for her speed, has swiped 32 bags which ranks in a two-way tie for sixth among Division I student-athletes. She is also one of 14 players to have at least five triples this season.
Roberts posted an 11-game hitting streak earlier this season and currently holds a six-game hitting streak and reached base streak. During Roberts’ 43 starts in left field, she has 22 multiple-hit games including two four-hit performances and a two home run, five-RBI showing Feb. 19 versus Northern Kentucky.
This is the second time in her career that Elkins was selected as a finalist for the award. She was named a Top 26 finalist in 2015. Elkins joins Christi Orgeron, a finalist in 2011 and 2012, as Cajuns to make the Top 25 cut in back-to-back seasons.
The two-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and two-time All-American is one of nine seniors, along with 11 juniors and five sophomores, on this year’s Top 25 list. The student-athletes selected represent 20 NCAA Division I universities and nine athletic conferences.
Elkins was the NCAA leader in batting average (.538), slugging percentage (1.263), on base percentage (.648) and home runs (17) entering April. She topped the Ragin’ Cajuns squad with 13 multiple-hit and 12 multiple-RBI games.
The reigning NFCA/Diamond Sports Division I Catcher of the Year moved into sole possession of second place on the school's career home run list, picking up the 73rd of her career on March 19 at UT Arlington.
With the Ragin’ Cajuns, working in Michael Lotief's hitting system, Lexie Elkins has developed into one of the nation’s most potent power hitters, producing 73 home runs in two-plus seasons - after hitting none as a freshman at Texas Tech (2013).
Elkins and Roberts are two of only three student-athletes from the State of Louisiana being considered for the award, as they are joined by McNeese State’s Erika Piancastelli.
Just prior to the start of post-season play, the list will be narrowed to the Top 10 Finalists on May 11. 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 is voted on by coaching representatives of 10 Division I Conferences in the 15 ASA/USA Softball Regions, members of the media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country as well as past winners of the award.
Top 25 Finalists:
Ali Aguilar, Washington
Delanie Gourley, Florida
Rochelle Roberts, ULM
Allexis Bennett, UCLA
Sara Groenewegen, Minnesota
Sierra Romero, Michigan
Jessica Burroughs, Florida State
Kylee Hanson, Florida Atlantic
Lindsey Stephens, Texas
Kasey Cooper, Auburn
Sierra Lawrence, Michigan
Karley Wester, Notre Dame
Koral Costa, Oregon
Sydney Littlejohn, Alabama
Morgan Zerkle, Marshall
Lexie Elkins, UL Lafayette
Haylie McCleney, Alabama
Cortni Emanuel, Georgia
Kelsey Nunley, Kentucky
Jailyn Ford, James Madison
Aleshia Ocasio, Florida
Megan Good, James Madison
Paige Parker, Oklahoma
Delanie Gourley, Florida
Erika Piancastelli, McNeese State
Sara Groenewegen, Minnesota
Alex Powers, Florida State