DURHAM – Duke softball seniors
Deja Davis and
Shelby Walters have been named to USA Softball's Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List, as the organization announced on Wednesday.
The Blue Devils are one of 16 schools and two in the ACC (joining Florida State) with at least two players on the exclusive, top-50 list to name the nation's top softball player.
Davis is recognized by USA Softball for the second straight season, after being selected a top-25 finalist last year. Davis worked her way into the top-25 last season after hitting .389 with 23 extra-base hits, 14 stolen bases and 28 RBI, and is a preseason watch list honoree for the first time. The Cerritos, Calif., native is the first All-American in program history.
After being named to Extra Innings Softball and Softball America's Top-100 lists, Walters has been tabbed to the Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List for the first time. The Cohutta, Ga., native had a breakout season in 2021, going 19-3 with a 1.28 ERA, throwing nine complete games and three shutouts, en route to All-ACC First Team honors.
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 collegiate softball student-athletes across the country.
The top-25 finalists will be announced on April 20, with the field narrowing to 10 and then three, before the winner is announced prior to the NCAA Women's College World Series.
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