May 18, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn's Kasey Cooper has been named the espnW's softball player of the year.
"It's a humbling honor," Cooper said. "I'm so proud and appreciative of everything this year especially this national honor. But its not without any of my teammates - they push me every day. I'm also so appreciative of our coaching staff and the team for helping me achieve this honor."
Across the NCAA, Cooper ranks No. 3 in RBI (77), No. 5 in walks per game (1.0), No. 5 slugging (.922), No. 6 OBP (.587), No. 9 home runs (19). Her slugging percentage is the third highest ever in SEC history and over .107 points ahead of the second-closest competitor. The junior third baseman batted .410 in SEC play and hit nine of her long balls against the toughest conference in the NCAA.
Cooper was named the 2016 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Player of the Year, while also locking down SEC First Team and All Defensive honors. In addition to being to the ASA/USA Softball Top 10 finalist for player of the year this season, she was a two-time SEC player of the Week this season.
The Dothan, Ala. native has already set program records for career home runs, RBI, batting average, slugging. She also set season records for RBI, walks this year and shares the home run record (19) with Jade Rhodes.
Cooper helped the Tigers defend their SEC Title over the weekend by beating three straight-top 15 teams en route to the second ever league title in Auburn history.
UP NEXT
Auburn hosts an NCAA Regional at Jane B. Moore Field this weekend with first pitch against Jacksonville State on Friday, May 20 at 6 p.m.