Kentucky Softball’s Abbey Cheek has been named a finalist for the 2019 USA Softball National Player of the Year, it was announced by the organization on Wednesday afternoon.
Cheek was named one of 26 finalists from all Division I softball teams around the country. Cheek is one of seven Southeastern Conference representatives, joining Kelly Barnhill and Amanda Lorenz of Florida, Montana Fouts and Bailey Hemphill of Alabama, Amanda Sanchez (LSU) and Alyssa DiCarlo (Georgia).
The Inman, S.C., native has had the best single-season offensively in Kentucky program history, as she is currently hitting .462 which is good for sixth nationally. Cheek is fifth nationally in slugging percentage (.957), fourth in walks (48), second in on-base percentage (.622) and 16th in home runs (16).
One of the best third basemen in program history, Cheek has already eclipsed the school records for career home runs (57), runs batted in (193) and runs scored (164).
Her dreams came to fruition on Monday, April 15 as she was drafted No. 14 overall by the Chicago Bandits to play in the National Pro Fastpitch softball league – as she will begin this summer as a player.
A model student in the classroom, Cheek will be graduating in May with a degree in Community Leadership Development.
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For more information contact:
Chris Shoals