Pair of Bulldogs Named to Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
January 29, 2020 | Softball
by Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – After earning Preseason All-American honors earlier this week, Mia Davidson and Fa Leilua found themselves on USA Softball's Top 50 Watch List for the Collegiate Player of the Year award.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award was established in 2002 and recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female softball players across the country.
Mississippi State's duo combined for 48 home runs in 2019, more than any other pair of SEC teammates. Their 116 combined RBIs were third.
Davidson is one of 14 student-athletes from the 2019 watch list to also be recognized this season. She was a top-10 finalist for the award last spring after leading MSU in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, hits, runs, RBIs and total bases. The Hillsborough, North Carolina, native is 10th among active players with 45 home runs entering her junior campaign.
Leilua is 13th among active players with 41 career blasts and earned Second Team All-American honors a year ago from both Softball America and the NFCA. She tied for the team lead with 19 multi-hit games and hit 22 home runs, second only to Davidson, and led all SEC designated players with eight home runs and a .387 average in league play.
The Top 25 Finalists for the 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced April 22. 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 6 and the Top 3 announced May 20. The 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed May 26.
The Bulldogs open the season on Feb. 7 against Missouri State in the NFCA Leadoff Classic at 11 a.m. CT. State will follow that contest with an exhibition against Team USA that evening at 5 p.m. State's home opener is set for Feb. 12 against Alabama State at 4 p.m.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
STARKVILLE – After earning Preseason All-American honors earlier this week, Mia Davidson and Fa Leilua found themselves on USA Softball's Top 50 Watch List for the Collegiate Player of the Year award.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award was established in 2002 and recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female softball players across the country.
Mississippi State's duo combined for 48 home runs in 2019, more than any other pair of SEC teammates. Their 116 combined RBIs were third.
Davidson is one of 14 student-athletes from the 2019 watch list to also be recognized this season. She was a top-10 finalist for the award last spring after leading MSU in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, hits, runs, RBIs and total bases. The Hillsborough, North Carolina, native is 10th among active players with 45 home runs entering her junior campaign.
Leilua is 13th among active players with 41 career blasts and earned Second Team All-American honors a year ago from both Softball America and the NFCA. She tied for the team lead with 19 multi-hit games and hit 22 home runs, second only to Davidson, and led all SEC designated players with eight home runs and a .387 average in league play.
The Top 25 Finalists for the 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced April 22. 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 6 and the Top 3 announced May 20. The 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed May 26.
The Bulldogs open the season on Feb. 7 against Missouri State in the NFCA Leadoff Classic at 11 a.m. CT. State will follow that contest with an exhibition against Team USA that evening at 5 p.m. State's home opener is set for Feb. 12 against Alabama State at 4 p.m.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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