It took four years for Rylin Hedgecock to become a starter for Arkansas. But it was that improvement that everyone noticed.
The Razorbacks’ designated player, already named an All-American, was named the nation’s Most Improved Player by D1Softball on Monday. Hedgecock hit .335 with a .459 on-base percentage and a .774 mark slugging with 21 home runs, 62 RBI and 41 runs.
Her home-run mark was fifth in the nation and her RBI total ranked ninth and both marks are third in the Arkansas record book for a single season.
The Georgia native started to show signs in 2022 when she started 14 games. Her breakout came against Oregon in the NCAA Tournament when her bases-clearing knock lifted Arkansas over the Ducks, 7-3.
The Razorbacks made the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season behind Hedgecock’s play at the plate and were the No. 11-seed in hosting the Fayetteville Regional.
[lawrence-auto-related count=1]