Haff named to watch list for top softball player for coming season

OKLAHOMA CITY — Arkansas sophomore Mary Haff was named to the top-50 watch list for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award Wednesday afternoon.

The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, which is entering its 18th season, recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female collegiate softball players across the country.

The Winter Haven, Fla. native posted a 29-7 record on a 1.51 ERA last season as a freshman.

She was named to the All-SEC Second Team and All-SEC freshman team following last season; in addition to being named a Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top-Three Finalist.

The Haff Rèsumè

• Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top-Three Finalist
• NFCA All-South Region Second Team
• SEC All-Tournament Team
• All-SEC Second Team
• SEC All-Freshman Team
• Three-time SEC Freshman of the Week

The Watch List includes 24 seniors, 16 juniors and 10 sophomores, with freshman ineligible for consideration. Freshmen can be considered for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award once they have competed at the collegiate level.

Athletes named to the Watch List represent 36 NCAA Division I universities and 15 athletic conferences, including 13 from the SEC.

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.

The Razorbacks are set to begin the 2019 campaign in Lake Charles, La. Friday Feb. 8 against Campbell and McNeese State.

Arkansas will return to Bogle Park Thursday Feb. 21 against Southeast Missouri State.