Jayden Heavener in contention for national award in softball

The list will be narrowed down to 10 on May 8 and the three finalists will be announced May 27 before the College World Series begins in Oklahoma City.

Heavener hasn’t missed a beat moving up to the college ranks after leading Pace to a state championship senior year.

She is third among freshmen pitchers with 9.3 strikeouts per game, striking out a total of 125 on the season.

Heavener threw a perfect game in her debut in February and hasn’t looked back, recording five games of 10 or more strikeouts.

In 19 games, Heavener  has fashioned a 2.84 ERA and is 11-3, ranking second on the team in wins while leading the Tigers in strikeouts.

Heavener led Pace to four consecutive state final fours and was the state and national player of the year as a senior.