SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Senior first baseman Karina Gaskins earned preseason Second Team All-America honors from Softball America Monday. Gaskins, the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, will lead the Fighting Irish into the 2024 season that will feature 17 games against teams that are ranked or receiving votes in the NCAA’s initial preseason polls.
Gaskins is a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic All-Region honoree and is already one of the most decorated players in program history. Gaskins ranks fourth all-time with 38 career home runs, fifth with 94 career walks and currently holds the top spot of career on-base percentage at .490 entering this season.
A two-time First Team All-ACC selection, Gaskins owns a .362 career batting average, with a 1.219 career OPS. Other accolades in her career include a 2022 D1Softball.com and Softball America Second Team All-America honors, NFCA Third Team All-America and earned All-ACC Freshman Team and Second Team All-ACC honors in her rookie campaign.
Gaskins and the Irish begin the 2024 season February 9th in Clearwater, Florida as the team will compete in the NFCA Leadoff Classic against Central Arkansas and South Alabama on opening day.