Softball's Kelsey Bruder Named a Nominee for Softball Honda Sports Award
Thursday, June 2, 2011 | Softball
Florida All-American outfielder Kelsey Bruder (Corona, Calif.) is one of four nominees for the 2010-11 Honda Sports Award, announced by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Thursday as the Gators prepare to take to the field against Missouri for the opening round of the 2011 Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Just Wednesday, Bruder was named one of UF's nation-leading six Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Americans for the second year in her career donning the Orange and Blue. Bruder was additionally named an Academic All-America selection this season for the second time at UF.
Bruder and Florida women's tennis sophomore Lauren Embree are now both candidates for their respective sports' Honda Award, as Embree was announced as one of four nominees for the tennis award Tuesday.
The 2011 SEC Player of the Year, Bruder ranks sixth in the NCAA in runs per game and 19th in the country in home runs. The senior was named USA Softball's National Player of the Week after two walk-off hits in Florida's series over SEC rival Alabama, enabling the Gators to take the series. Bruder led the Southeastern Conference through league play in runs (32), doubles (10), slugging percentage (.883), hits (40), RBI (36) and home runs (11). Bruder tops UF's all-time list for total bases in a season (140) and her 69 runs this season matches the standing school record.
Bruder joins Ashley Hansen (Stanford), Jolene Henderson (Cal) and Chelsea Thomas (Missouri) as the four candidates for the award. The winner after nationwide balloting will become a candidate for The Honda-Broderick Cup awarded annually to The Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.
In addition to the honor of being selected as a candidate, American Honda will donate $1,000 to the women's athletic fund of each nominee's university. The winner's program will receive $5,000.
2010-11 Softball Honda Sports Award Nominees
Kelsey Bruder University of Florida
Ashley Hansen Stanford University
Jolene Henderson University of California, Berkeley
Chelsea Thomas University of Missouri
