Photo by: Madison Keel/UGAAA
Backes on Watch List for 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award
January 22, 2025 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY – University of Georgia senior left-handed pitcher Lilli Backes has been named to the watch list for the 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, USA Softball announced Wednesday afternoon.
Backes is one of 53 players on the watch list for the award. The Southeastern Conference leads all athletic conferences with 23 representatives on the watch list.
The Peachtree City native accumulated 18 victories in the circle for Georgia last season with six saves and a 2.68 ERA. In her first season in Athens, Backes worked 183 innings to lead the Bulldogs, racking up 134 strikeouts. She concluded the season top-10 in the SEC in innings pitched, wins, saves, appearances, games finished, and games in relief.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, which is entering its 23rd season, recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female collegiate softball players across the nation.
The Top 25 Finalists for the 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced on Wednesday, April 30. While an athlete does not have to be on the Watch List to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the Top 25 Finalists. The Top 10 Finalists will be revealed on Wednesday, May 14, and the Top 3 will be released on Monday, May 19. The 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be announced prior to the NCAA Women's College World Series (WCWS).
Georgia will open the season in Orlando on Thursday, Feb. 6. The 2025 campaign will be the fourth under head coach Tony Baldwin.
Backes is one of 53 players on the watch list for the award. The Southeastern Conference leads all athletic conferences with 23 representatives on the watch list.
The Peachtree City native accumulated 18 victories in the circle for Georgia last season with six saves and a 2.68 ERA. In her first season in Athens, Backes worked 183 innings to lead the Bulldogs, racking up 134 strikeouts. She concluded the season top-10 in the SEC in innings pitched, wins, saves, appearances, games finished, and games in relief.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, which is entering its 23rd season, recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female collegiate softball players across the nation.
The Top 25 Finalists for the 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced on Wednesday, April 30. While an athlete does not have to be on the Watch List to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the Top 25 Finalists. The Top 10 Finalists will be revealed on Wednesday, May 14, and the Top 3 will be released on Monday, May 19. The 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be announced prior to the NCAA Women's College World Series (WCWS).
Georgia will open the season in Orlando on Thursday, Feb. 6. The 2025 campaign will be the fourth under head coach Tony Baldwin.
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ SoftballGeorgia Softball vs Florida NCAA Super Regional Game 3 Postgame Press Conference
Monday, May 26
Georgia Softball vs Florida NCAA Super Regional Game 2 Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, May 24
Georgia Softball vs Florida NCAA Super Regional Game 2 TV Highlights
Saturday, May 24
Georgia Softball vs Florida NCAA Super Regional Postgame Press Conference
Friday, May 23
