Kayson Boatner, a senior first baseman from Anderson University, was named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Softball as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Boatner is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DII Honda Athlete of the Year. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 46th year.

“I’m very grateful to play a sport that requires such a high level of competition both on and off the field,” said Kayson Boatner. “I am also very humbled to represent not only the women’s sport of softball, but Anderson University that has been my second home for the past four years.”

Boatner was recently named the DII Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Player of the Year and First Team NFCA All-American. She became first player in program history to earn the prestigious award. The first baseman was also honored as the 2022 South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Player of the Year and was named the Anderson University Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Boatner finished her senior season batting .445 with 21 doubles, 1 triple and 23 home runs. Boatner's season slugging percentage was 1.006, to finish second-best in NCAA DII. She topped the NCAA in home runs per game (0.46), tied for the second highest long ball total and ranked tied for seventh in doubles.

In the field, the Trojan first baseman recorded 282 putouts and three assists, while committing just one error (.997 field %).

“It’s been my privilege to coach Kayson during her stellar college career,” said head coach Tommy Hewitt. “She works very hard and is so studious of the game. The 2022 season has been a phenomenal record-breaking year for her and it’s been fun watching her navigate her way through it.”

“I hope people understand the amount of pressure she faces with every at bat,” added Hewitt. “The expectations are so high to hit it out of the park or just get a base hit. That is a lot of pressure to shoulder, which she has always handled with so much professionalism.” 

All Honda Sports nominees from DII and DIII become a finalist for the prestigious 2022 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 27, 2022, in downtown Los Angeles. The Honda Award finalists are recognized in 11 DII and DIII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.

The CWSA, entering its 46th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.  

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.