Gibson Named Top 25 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Redshirt senior infielder Danielle Gibson has been named a Top 25 Finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, the organization announced Wednesday.
The Murrieta, Calif. product has been a dominant force at the plate, hitting .480 on the season with 14 home runs, 59 hits, 46 RBI and 39 runs scored. Additionally, Gibson carries a .536 on base percentage and .902 slugging percentage.
Gibson ranks fifth nationally in batting average, seventh in total bases (111), eighth in hits, 15th in RBI per game (1.15), 15th in slugging percentage and 16th in RBI. 16th in RBI. In the SEC, Gibson ranks second in batting average and hits, third in RBI per game, fourth in RBI, is tied for fourth in home runs, fourth in slugging percentage, fifth in home runs per game and fifth in on base percentage. An anchor on the defense, Gibson has totaled a .987 fielding percentage at first through 40 games. So far this season, Gibson has compiled 20 multi hit games, including seven games with three hits and three games with multiple home runs. Gibson became the Hogs’ all-time RBI leader against Ole Miss on April 3. Her 42 career home runs as a Razorback rank third in program history and just five short of the current home run record of 47 set by Devon Wallace.
Considered one of the most distinguished individual honors in Division I college softball, the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female collegiate softball players from across the country.
The Top 25 Finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be narrowed to 10 Finalists – released May 4 – before the Top 3 Finalists are revealed May 18. The 2022 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be announced prior to the NCAA Women’s College World Series, which is slated for June 2-10 at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex.
Gibson and No. 6 Arkansas travel to Gainesville, Fla., for a three-game set against No. 9 Florida on April 22-24. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
