Upcoming Event: Softball versus Boston University on February 6, 2026 at 2 p.m.
/
2 p.m.
Softball
vs Boston University
Three Blue Devils Return as Grad Students for 2022
7/30/2021 2:30:00 PM | Softball
DURHAM – Three student-athletes return to the Duke softball program for their fifth year as Rachel Crabtree, Jameson Kavel and Peyton St. George will play for the Blue Devils in 2022. The extra year of eligibility was granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic which canceled the 2019 season.
"These three represent the class of pioneers who were instrumental in building Duke softball into the successful program we have become," said head coach Marissa Young. "They've written their names in our record book in so many statistical categories while doing a tremendous job of embracing and leading the next crop of Blue Devils. We look forward to seeing them lead Team 5 to new heights."
The trio, who received their bachelor's degrees this past spring, enrolled in Duke's Fuqua School of Business, working toward a Master of Management Studies.
Since the program's inaugural season in 2018, these three Blue Devils helped guide Duke to a 121-74 overall record, including its historic 2021 campaign. Duke claimed the first ACC Championship title in program history in 2021 and a national seed in its first NCAA postseason appearance. The Blue Devils finished the season with a 44-12 cumulative record, including a 26-10 mark in ACC play. Duke ranked No. 18 in the final ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll and No. 20 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll.
Crabtree has been a mainstay in the Blue Devils lineup since 2018, starting in 189 of 193 contests, primarily at first base. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native holds a .288 career batting average with 156 hits, including 35 doubles and eight home runs. Crabtree holds the program records for runs batted in (91) and hit by pitch (29). Defensively, Crabtree carries a .988 career fielding percentage (1381-341-17) while leading the program in chances, putouts and double plays.
"I'm super excited to be able to take my fifth year at Duke," said Crabtree. "The ability to compete and be a part of the program for one more year is an amazing opportunity. I can't wait for this last dance with my boys [teammates]."
The three-year captain has also shown excellence in the classroom as she's been named to the ACC Honor Roll all four years. Crabtree was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team in 2018 and was also recognized on the ACC All-Academic Team that season.
Kavel returns to Duke's roster after starting in 193 of 194 games played as a Blue Devil, splitting time between numerous positions. Throughout her career, the Duluth, Ga., native has compiled a .302 batting average with 132 runs scored, 186 hits, 82 RBIs, a .450 slugging percentage and 64 stolen bases. She holds the program records in at-bats, runs scored, hits, doubles (39) and stolen bases.
"I'm so excited to get to wear the Duke jersey one more year," said Kavel. "I'm very thankful for my family, teammates, coaches and support staff who made this a really easy decision. I can't wait to take the field again with Team 5 and start right where we left off. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!"
Following a strong senior campaign, Kavel earned All-ACC First Team honors. She's a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team and All-ACC Academic Team selection while receiving ACC Honor Roll recognition all four years.
St. George will continue her stellar career in the circle after a dominant senior season. She reeled in countless awards in 2021, including NFCA All-Region Third Team, ACC All-Tournament MVP, All-ACC First Team, All-ACC Academic Team and was a three-time ACC Pitcher of the Week.
"The opportunity to wear a Duke jersey for a fifth year is something I will cherish for the rest of my life," said St. George. "One final year to break records with an amazing group of girls is more than I could've ever asked for. I'll take grad student over alumna any day. See you in Oklahoma City!"
The Mechanicsville, Va., native holds a 2.17 earned run average with a 44-21 record through 115 appearances, including 50 starts. She leads the Blue Devil program in ERA, wins, saves (8), appearances, games started, innings pitched (410.1), strikeouts (451), complete games (24) and shutouts (7).
St. George has been recognized on an All-ACC team three times as well as the All-ACC Academic team. She's earned ACC Honor Roll recognition all four years.
#GoDuke
"These three represent the class of pioneers who were instrumental in building Duke softball into the successful program we have become," said head coach Marissa Young. "They've written their names in our record book in so many statistical categories while doing a tremendous job of embracing and leading the next crop of Blue Devils. We look forward to seeing them lead Team 5 to new heights."
The trio, who received their bachelor's degrees this past spring, enrolled in Duke's Fuqua School of Business, working toward a Master of Management Studies.
Since the program's inaugural season in 2018, these three Blue Devils helped guide Duke to a 121-74 overall record, including its historic 2021 campaign. Duke claimed the first ACC Championship title in program history in 2021 and a national seed in its first NCAA postseason appearance. The Blue Devils finished the season with a 44-12 cumulative record, including a 26-10 mark in ACC play. Duke ranked No. 18 in the final ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll and No. 20 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll.
Crabtree has been a mainstay in the Blue Devils lineup since 2018, starting in 189 of 193 contests, primarily at first base. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native holds a .288 career batting average with 156 hits, including 35 doubles and eight home runs. Crabtree holds the program records for runs batted in (91) and hit by pitch (29). Defensively, Crabtree carries a .988 career fielding percentage (1381-341-17) while leading the program in chances, putouts and double plays.
"I'm super excited to be able to take my fifth year at Duke," said Crabtree. "The ability to compete and be a part of the program for one more year is an amazing opportunity. I can't wait for this last dance with my boys [teammates]."
The three-year captain has also shown excellence in the classroom as she's been named to the ACC Honor Roll all four years. Crabtree was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team in 2018 and was also recognized on the ACC All-Academic Team that season.
Kavel returns to Duke's roster after starting in 193 of 194 games played as a Blue Devil, splitting time between numerous positions. Throughout her career, the Duluth, Ga., native has compiled a .302 batting average with 132 runs scored, 186 hits, 82 RBIs, a .450 slugging percentage and 64 stolen bases. She holds the program records in at-bats, runs scored, hits, doubles (39) and stolen bases.
"I'm so excited to get to wear the Duke jersey one more year," said Kavel. "I'm very thankful for my family, teammates, coaches and support staff who made this a really easy decision. I can't wait to take the field again with Team 5 and start right where we left off. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!"
Following a strong senior campaign, Kavel earned All-ACC First Team honors. She's a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team and All-ACC Academic Team selection while receiving ACC Honor Roll recognition all four years.
St. George will continue her stellar career in the circle after a dominant senior season. She reeled in countless awards in 2021, including NFCA All-Region Third Team, ACC All-Tournament MVP, All-ACC First Team, All-ACC Academic Team and was a three-time ACC Pitcher of the Week.
"The opportunity to wear a Duke jersey for a fifth year is something I will cherish for the rest of my life," said St. George. "One final year to break records with an amazing group of girls is more than I could've ever asked for. I'll take grad student over alumna any day. See you in Oklahoma City!"
The Mechanicsville, Va., native holds a 2.17 earned run average with a 44-21 record through 115 appearances, including 50 starts. She leads the Blue Devil program in ERA, wins, saves (8), appearances, games started, innings pitched (410.1), strikeouts (451), complete games (24) and shutouts (7).
St. George has been recognized on an All-ACC team three times as well as the All-ACC Academic team. She's earned ACC Honor Roll recognition all four years.
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
Durham Softball Regional Day Two Presser
Saturday, May 17
Durham Softball Regional Game One Post Game Presser
Friday, May 16
Absolute Domination Over #2 Florida Gators - Duke Softball
Wednesday, March 19
ABSOLUTELY INSANE CATCH! NUMBER ONE PLAY ON SPORTSCENTER! #goduke #softball #ncaasoftball #espn
Thursday, March 13
