Pair of incoming Oklahoma State softball student-athletes named Gatorade State Players of the Year

STILLWATER – Incoming Oklahoma State softball student-athletes Karli Godwin and Katie Kutz were recognized as the Gatorade Player of the Year in their respective states, it was announced today.

The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. By virtue of winning on the state level, Godwin and Kutz are now finalists for the prestigious Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year award to be announced later this month.

A 5-foot-9 shortstop, Godwin posted a .731 batting average with 20 home runs this past season, leading East Columbus High School in North Carolina to the Class 1A state semifinals. Godwin scored 64 runs, walked 35 times and struck out just once in 131 plate appearances. Ranked as the nation's No. 8 recruit in the Class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball, she swiped 31 bases and drove in 86 runs while posting a .809 on-base percentage and a 1.645 slugging percentage.

Godwin has volunteered locally with the East Columbus HS special education department and the Miracle League buddy program for children with intellectual and physical challenges. She has also donated her time as a youth softball coach.

"Karli Godwin is a special athlete and softball player," said William Deese, head coach of Purnell Swett High School. "Defensively, she seems to make the difficult plays look easy. Offensively, she's in another stratosphere. The ball jumps off her bat and she has power to all parts of the field. She is one of the best offensive players I have ever seen." Godwin has maintained a weighted 4.27 GPA in the classroom.

For Kutz, 2023 marks the second consecutive year she has been recognized as the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year.

The 5-foot-8 senior right-handed pitcher led Bishop O'Connell HS to a 21-0 record and both the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and Virginia Independent School Athletic Association Division I tournament titles this past season. She compiled a 19-0 mark in the circle with a 0.45 earned run average, striking out 268 batters while allowing just 24 hits in 109 innings. Ranked as the nation's No. 13 recruit in the Class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball, she batted .557 with 13 home runs, 46 RBI and a 1.177 slugging percentage.

A professional bodybuilder after earning her pro card by winning the Viking Classic in Minnesota last October, Kutz has volunteered locally distributing food to people in need, and she has donated her time as a youth softball coach.

"Katie is arguably the best high school pitcher and all-around athlete that I have seen," said Rita Horning Rahl, head coach of Elizabeth Seton High School. "The thing that makes Katie a standout is obviously her velocity, throwing consistently in the high 60s, low 70s. Of course, the speed helps intimidate batters, but she also has the ability to pick a batter's weakness and locate her pitches on demand."

Kutz has maintained a weighted 4.44 GPA in the classroom.

For more on Cowgirl Softball, visit okstate.com or follow @CowgirlSB on Twitter.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Pair of incoming Oklahoma State softball student-athletes named Gatorade State Players of the Year

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