University of Connecticut Athletics
Grace Jenkins named BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, four Huskies garner all-conference honors
5/9/2023 4:35:00 PM | Softball
STORRS, Conn. – The BIG EAST conference announced the 2023 season major awards and all-conference team selections Tuesday afternoon. Grace Jenkins has been tabbed the 2023 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year. Lexi Hastings was a unanimous First Team selection along with Payton Kinney. Jenkins and Aziah James were named to the Second Team.
Jenkins has established herself as one of UConn's top players, hitting in the heart of the Huskies lineup in her freshman season. The California native leads the team with 41 runs batted in and 22 extra base hits, holding an impressive slash line of .360/.596/.461. Jenkins becomes just the fifth player in program history to claim BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and the first since Jana Sanden in 2021.
Hastings was a unanimous First Team selection, earning all-conference honors for the second straight year. The sophomore outfielder has been nothing short of incredible all season long for the Huskies as she leads the team in almost every offensive category, including runs (48), hits (54), home runs (6), and stolen bases (36). Hastings defense has been just as good as her offense, holding a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. She was named to the BIG EAST honor roll an impressive six times this season.
Kinney has had a great bounce back season after missing all last year with shoulder surgery. She leads the conference holding opponents to a .167 batting average. Kinney leads the Huskies pitching staff with a 2.83 era and 98 strikeouts in 95 innings pitched. She was named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week and earned honor roll once this season.
James earns all-conference honors for the first time in her career. She has been one of the Huskies most consistent hitters all season long, driving in 30 runs, with 50 hits, and 33 runs scored, holding a slash line of .352/.437/.446. James ranks in the top 15 nationally for stolen bases with 32 this season. She earned honor roll two times this season.
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