UF Softball: Five Gators Earn All-SEC Accolades

Courtesy of University Athletic Association

BY HERB BROOKS

The Southeastern Conference announced its annual softball awards for the 2021 season Tuesday morning, and five Gators picked up seven different awards, including two All-SEC First Team selections.

“Congratulations to Hannah, Charla, Elizabeth, Kendyl, and Julia on earning All-SEC accolades this season,” Head Coach Tim Walton said. “These athletes represent the entire program and the teamwork everyone has had to compete so hard over the entire season. Super proud of their ability to step up when their team needed them the most.”

Hannah Adams and Charla Echols picked up All-SEC First Team honors, the first of their careers, and also SEC All-Defensive Team accolades. It’s the second SEC All-Defensive Team award for Adams in her career as she was selected for the team her freshman year in 2018.

Elizabeth Hightower and Kendyl Lindaman were placed on the All-SEC Second Team after the duo turned in successful seasons during SEC play. Julia Cottrill rounded out the selections as she made the All-SEC Newcomer Team.

Hannah Adams – Senior – Infield

• 2021 All-SEC First Team
• 2021 All-SEC Defensive Team – Second Base
• USA Softball Player of the Year Top 25 Finalist
• Reached base safely in 33 consecutive games and has reached safely in 47 of 48 games played this season.
• Produced a 13-game hit-streak, which ranks tied for 7th all-time at UF, and has 17 multi-hit games.
• Recorded two walk-off hits in 2021, drove in the game-winning run five times, and has scored the game-winning run 17 times.
  • Has five career walk-off hits.

Charla Echols – Junior – Third Baseman

• 2021 All-SEC First Team
• 2021 SEC All-Defensive Team – Third Base
• SEC Player of the Week (1x)
• USA Softball Top 50 Watch List
• Ranks in SEC-only competition: batting average (.358-13th), slugging % (.687 – 6th), on base % (.477- 6th), RBI (21 – 2nd), walks (16 – 8th), SAC fly (2 – t-3rd), assists (48 – t-6th).
• As of May 4, reached base safely in 30 consecutive games, has reached safely in 44-of-48 games played, has 15 multi-hit games and 13 multi-RBI games.
• Has two walk-off hits this season and produced the game-winning RBI nine times and game-winning run four times.

Elizabeth Hightower – Junior – Right-Handed Pitcher

• 2021 All-SEC Second Team
• SEC Pitcher of the Week (2x)
• D1Softball.com Pitcher of the Week
• Produced a career-long 20.2 scoreless inning streak.
• Has six wins and one save against Top 25 competition, including three complete-game shutouts.
• Has been involved in all four UF one-hitters, two complete-game & two combined.
• Leads the SEC in complete-game shutouts (4) in conference only play.
• Holds the fourth-best ERA (1.78) min. 50 IP in conference only play.

Kendyl Lindaman – 5^th Year Graduate – Designated Player/Utility

• 2021 All-SEC Second Team
• 2021 Senior CLASS Top 10 Finalist
• Has a total of seven multi-hit games, nine multi-RBI games, and a 26-game reached base safely streak this year.
• Ranks among active NCAA career leaders in games played (260-T-2nd), home runs (68 – T-4^th), RBI (236-4th), and walks (215-2nd).
• Drove in the game-winning RBI four times and scored the game-winning run four times this season.

Julia Cottrill – Sophomore – Catcher

• 2021 All-SEC Newcomer Team
• SEC Newcomer of the Week (1x)
• Turned in the walk-off home run in the series finale against Texas A&M that secured the Gators ninth SEC Regular Season Championship.
• Ranks 15^th overall in SEC play batting average .348 and on base percentage .438.
• Produced a career-long eight-game hit-streak and had a 10-game reached base safely streak.
• Has nine multi-hit games, seven multi-RBI games, and has produced the game-winning RBI five times.