D1 Most Improved Player: Rylin Hedgecock

Following Oklahoma’s NCAA record-run to a third straight national title at the Women’s College World Series, it’s time to sit back and celebrate the best and the brightest of the 2023 season. D1Softball will be handing out its postseason awards over the next few days.

Most Improved Player of the Year: Rylin Hedgecock, Arkansas.

Hedgecock proved that patience can pay off through hard work and development during a college career.

The Razorbacks needed a few players to step forward this season after graduating some heavy hitters and Hedgecock did just that. The redshirt junior batted .335 with a team-leading 21 home runs – 19 more than her first three seasons combined – and 62 RBI. Hedgecock started all 59 games for Arkansas and had a .774 slugging percentage.

In 2022, Hedgecock started 14 games and batted .273 with only one home run and 12 RBI in 44 at-bats. In 2021, she played in 19 games with one start and hit .0.50 (1 for 20) with a .050 slugging percentage.