Kaitlyn Hasty, a senior first baseman from Christopher Newport University, was named the DIII 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.

Hasty is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII 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.

Most recently, Hasty was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/Schutt Sports DIII National Player of the Year after leading her team to its first-ever NCAA Championship title and final record of 47-1. The senior from Chesapeake, Va., became the program’s first National Player of the Year and is the first three-time All-American in CNU history.

The first baseman led the nation in home runs with 19 and set a new program career mark with 53 round-trippers. For the season, Hasty batted .414 with 33 runs, 53 hits and 12 doubles, and led the country with 67 RBI. She ranked second nationally in slugging percentage (.953), had a .532 on-base percentage and a 1.485 OPS, drawing 28 walks and striking out just 16 times in 128 at-bats.

“Kaitlyn has been one of the most-feared hitters in the country since she joined our program four years ago,” Parr said. “She has continued to grow and develop due to her incredible work ethic, desire, and yearning to be the absolute best. Her accomplishments, essentially in just over three seasons due to our shortened 2020 season, will be remembered and celebrated for years to come. We are so happy for her to receive post-season honors, especially knowing they come after the greatest team accomplishment ever, the National Championship.”

All Honda Sports nominees from DIII and DII 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 DIII and DII 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/.