Softball | 2/1/2017 1:05:00 PM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Augustana University junior shortstop Sarah Kennedy has been named to the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II National Player of the Year Watch List, announced by the national organization Wednesday. Kennedy is one of just 50 players in the country selected to the preseason watch list.
 
The list includes one graduate student, 22 seniors, 19 juniors and eight sophomores, representing 42 programs from 19 different conferences.
 
Kennedy, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa, is a three-time All-NSIC First Team selection for the Vikings entering her senior season. She was named to the Schutt Sports/NFCA Preseason Watch List prior to the 2016 season after being a top 10 finalist for the NFCA Division II Player of the Year award as a sophomore in 2015. Kennedy started all 54 games at shortstop for the Vikings last season. She batted .403 with 71 hits, including 14 doubles and nine home runs.
 
Kennedy drove in 49 runs in 2016 while scoring 49 and compiling a .473 on-base percentage. She enters her senior season with 45 career doubles which ranks seventh all-time. Kennedy also ranks fourth all-time with 35 career home runs and seventh with 156 RBI. Her career .417 batting average ranks third all-time at Augustana.
 
Augustana opens the 2017 season this Friday and Saturday at the Desert Stinger in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Vikings will take on Chico State at 1:30 p.m. (CT) on Friday at Majestic Park.