VALDOSTA – The National fastpitch Coaches Association has announced a list of 25 Division II softball student-athletes as finalists for the annual Schutt Sports/NFCA National Player of the Year, and Valdosta State softball is represented on the list by star first baseman Kiley Rusen.
Rusen, a four-year Blazer, has put together an outstanding senior season this year and currently ranks fourth in the nation in home runs. Her long ball total increased to a Gulf South Conference-leading 18 after two this past weekend against West Georgia, including a grand slam on Saturday.
In addition to her impressive power numbers on the season, the Brookfield, Ill. native has produced numbers among the league’s top ten in batting average (.395, 10th), on base percentage (.494, 4th), RBI’s (55, 3rd), and walks (28, T-4th).
The NFCA will narrow the list of 25 down to 10 on May 6, before the announcement of the top three finalists on May 12. On May 16, the NFCA will announce the winner of the 2016 award.
The Blazers, who clinched a spot in the GSC Tournament on Saturday, returns to action this weekend for a critical three-game set, beginning with a Saturday doubleheader at 3:00 p.m. EST against Delta State. Valdosta State (35-10-2, 19-9-1 GSC) enters the final weekend of regular season action ranked fourth in the league, while DSU (33-15, 21-9 GSC) currently sits in third place.
