College Softball Midseason Awards 2022

We’ve officially reached and crossed the halfway mark on the 2022 Division 1 college softball season. There have been incredible performances, surprising results, and noteworthy accomplishments – all almost too many to count.

Through half a season, who have been the best at their craft? If the season ended today, who would win the Player, Coach, Pitcher, and Freshman of the Year awards? The season isn’t ending, but for the first time on Extra Inning Softball, and in a continuation of a previous series, we’re handing out Midseason Awards for the best in the business this season.

Onto the hardware (virtual, though it may be!)

Midseason Player of the Year

Jocelyn Alo, Oklahoma

If the season ended today, Alo would be a slam-dunk choice for Player of the Year. Not just because she set the career home run record – though that’s also a large mark in her favor – but because she has been the most consistent and excellent hitter in the nation. No offensive player has made an impact on her team in the way that Alo has and she is the cornerstone of a stacked Oklahoma batting order.

Also considered: Billie Andrews, Nebraska; Kristina Burkhardt, Michigan; Jada Cody, UCF; Georgina Corrick, South Florida; Danielle Gibson, Arkansas; Kelly Horne, Troy; Janae Jefferson, Texas; Baylee Klingler, Washington; Kayla Kowalik, Kentucky; Sydney McKinney, Wichita State

Midseason Pitcher of the Year

Georgina Corrick, South Florida

The impact that Alo has had on Oklahoma’s batting order, Corrick has had on South Florida’s program as a whole. She has already secured her place as an all-time great, and a quality argument can be made for status as *the* very best in program history. Prior to last weekend’s series against UCF, Corrick had given up just three earned runs on the year and has been insanely dominant in the circle. Even a pair of losses against the rival Knights don’t take away from her season-long impressive work.

Also considered: Jordy Bahl, Oklahoma; Morgan Clausen, North Florida; Megan Faraimo, UCLA; Mariah Mazon, Oregon State; Ashley Miller, Michigan State; Sydney Nester, Marshall; Maddie Penta, Auburn; Keely Rochard, Virginia Tech; Kathryn Sandercock, Florida State; Danielle Williams, Northwestern

Midseason Coach of the Year

Pete D’Amour, Virginia Tech

The ACC is a rising conference and Virginia Tech has risen to be the cream of the crop in impressive fashion. The Hokies have lost just three times this season, including a pair of losses to Alabama that saw the Tide score just three runs in both games combined. VT looks like a serious postseason contender and have certainly made the most of increased pitching depth behind Keely Rochard. The Hokie offense has clicked in similarly-impressive fashion and the Hokies have also dispatched some top-level opponents in the non-conference portion of the year.

Also considered: Lonni Alameda, Florida State; Cindy Ball-Malone, UCF; Laura Berg, Oregon State; Ashley Chastain, Charlotte; Mickey Dean, Auburn; Kate Drohan, Northwestern; Patty Gasso, Oklahoma; Melyssa Lombardi, Oregon; Justin Shults, Boise State; Amy Tudor, Western Kentucky; Marissa Young, Duke

Midseason Freshman of the Year

Jordy Bahl, Oklahoma

The strength of Oklahoma is still their offense, but the arrival of Bahl in Norman immediately shored up the Sooners’ weaknesses in the circle. She has been effectively lights-out since day one, including an early-season win over UCLA. Bahl’s immediate emergence has been a game-changer that was great before her and is even better with her presence.

Also considered: Kara Daly, Missouri; Michaela Edenfield, Florida State; Bri Ellis, Auburn; Kendra Falby, Florida; Dallis Goodnight, Alabama; Emma Lemley, Virginia Tech; Mia Scott, Texas

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In our end-of-season awards, we will disburse recognitions including Assistant Coach of the Year, Breakout Star of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year. Instead of handing out those awards at the Midseason point, here are some of the top contenders for each of them at the halfway mark.

Assistant Coach of the Year:

• Elizabeth Economon, Wichita State
• Lisa Fernandez, UCLA
• Doug Gillis, Virginia Tech
• Whitney Jones, UCF
• Chris Malveaux, Tennessee
• Sam Marder, Oregon
• Marty McDaniel, Georgia Tech
• Megan Rhodes Smith, Tennessee
• Craig Snider, Texas A&M

Breakout Star of the Year:

• Billie Andrews, Nebraska
• Corinne Badger, Stony Brook
• Jada Cody, UCF
• Shelby Echols, Houston Baptist
• Michaela Edenfield, Florida State
• Lynnsie Elam, Oklahoma
• Hannah Gammill, Arkansas
• Sydney Nester, Marshall

Comeback Player of the Year:

• Miranda Elish, Oklahoma State
• Kayla Konwent, Wisconsin
• Becca Schulte, Houston