The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 9 Softball’s Scott selected to USA Softball’s Top 50 Watch List
01.25.2023 | Softball
The USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year award is now in its 21st year of existence
AUSTIN, Texas – For the fifth time under fifth-year head coach Mike White, the University of Texas softball program was recognized by the USA Softball organization Wednesday morning, when sophomore Mia Scott was selected to the Top 50 Watch List for the 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
Scott joins Janae Jefferson, Hailey Dolcini, Mary Iakopo, Shea O'Leary and Miranda Elish as Longhorns softball student-athletes to be appointed to the watch list since White took over at the helm of the program in 2018.
Just six days ago, Scott was unanimously selected to the 12-member 2023 Big 12 Softball Preseason Team. That honor came after she picked up All-Big 12 Second Team, All-Big 12 Freshman Team and NFCA All-Central Region Second Team recognition last season.
In her first season on the Forty Acres in 2022, Scott finished her freshman campaign with a .377 batting average, .443 on-base percentage and a .554 slugging percentage. In 204 plate appearances throughout 64 games, the Angleton, Texas native was credited with 77 hits, including 23 extra base hits. Additionally, she drove in 38 runs, drew 25 walks and swiped 26 stolen bases.
The 2023 Top 50 Watch List highlights student-athletes from 26 universities and nine different athletic conferences. Of the 50 Division I softball student-athletes recognized, 11 came from the Big 12 Conference, which were the second most by a single conference behind the Southeastern Conference's 18.
The Top 25 Finalists for the 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced on Wednesday, April 19. While a student-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 Player of the Year will be announced prior to the NCAA Women's College World Series.
Recognized as the most distinguished individual honor in NCAA Division I softball, Texas joins UCLA and Oklahoma as the only softball programs in the nation to have secured the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year award three times as former Longhorn pitching legend Cat Ostermann earned the trophy in 2003, 2005 and 2006.
