Ava Brown holds the Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year trophy she received today (June 20, 2023). Photos courtesy of Gatorade.
Montgomery, Texas [June 20, 2023] -In its 38th year of honoring the nation’s most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Ava Brown from Lake Creek High School in Montgomery, Texas, is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year.
Ava was surprised when she walked into her school gym and friends and family gathered for the trophy presentation!
Brown earned the prestigious award for her accomplishments on and off the field, joining an impressive group of former Gatorade National Softball Players of the Year who have combined for more than 17 former medals and five championships national
Brown was surprised with the trophy by his family, coaches and teammates at the school earlier today
The Gatorade Player of the Year Award recognizes athletes not only for their excellence on the playing surface, but for their commitment in the classroom and their impact on their community.
Brown beat out nearly half a million student-athletes playing softball across the country to top the list of all-state softball winners who collectively boast an incredible list of accomplishments, including 30 signed National Letters of Intent to play softball at Division I colleges or universities and 27 with a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
“Statistics can sometimes be deceiving, but in Ava Brown’s case, they accurately reflect an amazingly accomplished high school career, especially in 2023,” he said. Brent EadsPresident and Executive Editor of Extra Innings Softball.
“Ava led her team to a second consecutive Class 5 championship, pitching a hit in both title games and striking out 15 batters in this year’s state final. She averaged 1.7 strikeouts per inning as a senior and never lost a high school game against excellent competition in the Lone Star State.
“She’s a tough pitcher who hits her spots and beats batters while mixing speeds and showing top-notch control. Also a dangerous hitter, she drove in 65 runs and batted nearly .900 last season, and is raising her game as she raise the stakes. She’s one of the most productive high school players of the last two decades.”
The returning Gatorade State Player of the Year, the 5-foot-7 senior right-handed pitcher and first baseman led the Lions to a 44-1 record and a second straight 5A Conference state championship last season .
Brown compiled a 27-0 record in the circle with a 0.53 ERA, firing a one-hitter with 15 strikeouts in Lake Creek’s 8-0 win over Canyon High in the state final.
Classified as the nation’s Recruit number 3 of the class of 2023 by Softball extra entry, Brown struck out 292 batters while walking just 30 in 172 innings. At the plate, the 2022 MaxPreps First Team All-American batted .462 with nine homers, 17 doubles, 65 RBI and an .888 slugging percentage. She concluded her prep softball career with an 81-0 record and 830 strikeouts in the circle.
Brown has volunteered with her local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as a youth softball coach.
The student-athlete has maintained a 3.55 in the classroom. She has signed a national letter of intent to play softball on scholarship at the University of Florida this fall.
Here is the video of today’s presentation:
In addition to excellence on and off the field, Gatorade Players of the Year also pay it forward to the next generation.
As part of Gatorade’s Play it Forward initiative, Brown will receive a grant to donate to a 501c3 youth sports charity, which includes Gatorade’s social impact partners: Athlete Ally, Laureus USA, Move United, Women’s Sports Foundation and Up2Us Sports, supporting Gatorade’s ambition to power the future of sports.
“We are recognizing Ava as the nation’s top high school softball player for her dedication to excellence as an athlete, student and leader within her community,” said the Gatorade portfolio president and CEO. Michael DelPozzo.
“This award is about more than just the field, and we look forward to seeing what Ava continues to achieve on and off the field.”
Each year, a selection committee evaluates the nation’s top talent to choose a state winner from each of the 50 states, as well as Washington, DC, in 12 different sports: soccer, women’s volleyball, boys’ and girls’ cross country, children’s and women’s basketball, baseball. , softball, children’s football and children’s and women’s track and field.
In total, 608 athletes are honored each year. From the pool of state winners, a national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, view past winners, or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com or follow us on social media on Facebook at facebook.com/GatoradePOYInstagram at instagram.com/Gatorade and Twitter at twitter.com/Gatorade.
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PAST GATORADE NATIONAL SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNERS
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