TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona softball seniors
Katiyana Mauga and
Danielle O'Toole are two of 10 Finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, the association announced on Wednesday. The Wildcats are one of two teams with multiple finalists.
O'Toole and Mauga are Arizona's first finalists for the prestigious award since Kenzie Fowler in 2010. The duo is trying to join Jennie Finch (2001, 2002), Nancy Evans (1998), Jenny Dalton (1996) and Susie Parra (1994) as Wildcats to be named national player of the year.
O'Toole leads the Pac-12 in ERA (1.08), victories (27) and strikeouts (191). The senior has thrown eight shutouts this season, including five vs. ranked opponents and her first career no-hitter vs. No. 6 Washington. O'Toole was a two-time Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week and swept national player of the week honors for her no-no vs. the Huskies. O'Toole is one of six pitchers on the list.
Mauga, Arizona's all-time leader in career home runs (89), leads the Pac-12 in homers and is second nationally with 22, currently tied for 13th most in a season in Arizona history. Mauga is first in the conference in slugging percentage as well, slugging .869 in 137 at-bats. The senior leads the league with four Pac-12 Player of the Week honors. She's hitting .343 with a team-high 55 RBI on the year.
Mauga (22 homers) and O'Toole (27 victories) are one of two duos nationally with more than 20 home runs and 20 victories on the season.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, which is considered the most prestigious honor in Division I women's collegiate softball, recognizes the outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female players across the country.
The Top 3 Finalists will be announced May 24, while the winner of the 2017 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be revealed on May 30 prior to the start of the NCAA WCWS in Oklahoma City.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award is voted on by coaching representatives of 10 Division I Conferences in the 10 USA Softball Regions, members of the media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country as well as past winners of the award.
Up Next: Mauga, O'Toole and the rest of the Wildcats will learn their postseason fate on Sunday, May 14 at 7 p.m. when the bracket is revealed on ESPN 2.
Follow Arizona Softball: For further coverage of Arizona softball, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and follow the team's Twitter and Instagram accounts (@UA_Softball).
