LOUISVILLE, KY. -- Trine University softball seniors Kaylee Fox (Vermillion, Ohio / Edison) and Erica Robles (Long Beach, Calif. / Lakewood) have been named as contenders for the 2018 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III National Player of the Year award, the Association announced earlier today.
The list originally recognized 50 contenders before the beginning of the season but has now been narrowed to 25. Fox was featured on the original list earlier this year, while Robles makes her debut on this iteration. The list will be reduced to 10 finalists when All-Region teams are released later this month, with the winner released following the completion of the NCAA championship.
For more information on the award check out the NFCA release.
Fox and Robles lead the way offensively for a potent Trine offense that averages over nine runs per game.
Robles leads off for the team and is a feature on the basepath for the Thunder. She ranks nationally with a .520 batting average and with 66 hits so far this season. She started off the year with a record-breaking 30 consecutive game hit streak that dated back to last season. She also leads the Thunder with 18 stolen bases so far this season.
Fox, on the other hand, provides power in the heart of the Thunder lineup. She has ranked nationally with 14 home runs and a .972 slugging percentage so far this season. She holds school records in career home runs with 59 and RBIs with 200. She has also recorded a school-record seven intentional walks this season.
The Thunder will finish off their regular season slate of games with a doubleheader against Calvin College tomorrow, April 28. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and following the games, the team will honor their graduating seniors.