OKLAHOMA CITY -- Virginia Tech softball's Keely Rochard has been named a top 25 finalist for 2022 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, released Wednesday afternoon.
Considered the most distinguished individual honor in Division I college softball, the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female collegiate softball players from across the country. This is the second straight season Rochard has earned a spot in the top 25.
The eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the Top 25 Finalists. The Top 10 Finalists will be revealed May 4 with the Top 3 being released May 18. The 2022 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be announced prior to the NCAA Women's College World Series.
Through 36 games, Rochard leads the Hokies in ERA (1.50) wins (18), strikeouts (228) and saves (4). She has made 26 appearances this year, throwing 139.2 innings pitched with just a .158 batting average against. Rochard has wins over eight teams ranked in the top 25 this season.
Rochard remains one of the top pitchers in the ACC, leading the league in hits allowed per seven innings with 3.86 (12th nationally), as well as strikeouts with 228, ranking fourth nationally. Her four saves also rank second in the conference and eighth in all of Division I.