Lori Manning is a former educational administrator who is attending Western Governors University in pursuit of an MBA. Prior to her career in education, Lori Manning coached multiple college softball teams and was a standout player herself at Oklahoma Baptist University.
The highest honor in college softball is the 2018 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. In January, USA Softball released its 50-player Watch List of potential award recipients and it included three of the following players.
1. Kelly Barnhill - The winner of the 2017 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, Barnhill has continued her dominance through 2018. The University of Florida pitcher has a win-loss record of 21-1 and has allowed only 47 hits through 146 innings. She also has a team-high 224 strikeouts and an earned run average (ERA) of 0.82.
2. Alyssa Barrera - An outfielder with the University of Utah, Barrera boasts a .313 batting average to go along with six doubles and 11 RBI through 42 games.
3. Kaylee Carlson - A senior with the University of Auburn, Carlson is a 5-foot-10 right-handed pitcher who has already earned a multitude of accolades, including All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Defensive Team in 2017. Through 29 games this season, she has a record of 19-4 and a 0.92 ERA.
