Rebel Kylan Becker Named to USA Softball Top 50 Player of the Year Watch List

Kylan Becker named to the USA Softball Top 50 Player of the Year Watch List. Photo courtesy of Cameron Brooks / Ole Miss Athletics.

Ole Miss senior outfielder Kylan Becker was named to USA Softball’s 2019 Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List on Wednesday by the sport’s national governing body.

Less than a week after being selected to the 2019 Preseason All-SEC team, Becker becomes the first player in program history to be named to the top 50 watch list multiple times. Last season, Becker and Elantra Cox became Ole Miss’ first honorees since Lauren Grill in 2009.

The SEC boasts 13 of the 50 players named to the watch list, the most of any conference. The list includes 24 seniors, 16 juniors and 10 sophomores. Freshman are not eligible, though they may be considered for the award once they have competed at the collegiate level.

Ole Miss’ first-ever player to be named to Team USA, Becker paced Ole Miss with a .329 batting average and 19 walks, adding six doubles, two triples and 29 RBIs. Throughout her career, the Rebel center fielder has proven to be an elite defender, sporting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

At the dish last season, Becker led the Rebels with a .329 clip with six doubles, a pair of triples and 29 RBIs. The senior demonstrated a keen eye at the plate, leading the Rebels with 19 walks, contributing to a team-best .407 OBP.

The Top 25 Finalists for the 2019 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced April 24. While an athlete does not have to be on the Watch List to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the Top 25 Finalists. The Top 10 Finalists will be announced May 8 and the Top 3 announced May 22. The 2019 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed May 28.

Ole Miss opens the 2019 slate on Feb.7-10 at the Friends of Jaclyn Tournament in Orlando, Florida. The Rebels will take the diamond for five-games by taking on Ohio State, Minnesota, George Mason and host school UCF.

Staff Report